Neighbours of East Hill Baptist Church in Wandsworth, who claim that noise from the church “plagues” their weekend, are objecting to a proposed café on the site.

A café had been trading on the site without council permission until August 2017. Two retrospective applications to run the business were rejected.

The café, Dona Benta, had been “highly successful” according to the church’s current application, but experienced problems with long opening hours and noise from customers and food delivery vehicles.

The church is trying to reduce the impact of the proposed café on nearby residents by suggesting a closing time of 5.30pm, well before church activity ends, and ruling out the running of a delivery service.

One neighbour wrote in his formal objection that when the previous café was open he had to shut his windows every day from 7am because of the smell of grease.

He also complained about “bizarre” barbecues beginning early in the day, and litter, which he claimed is regularly left by churchgoers, including plates, bowls and cutlery.

Another resident claimed the church “generally has a disregard for its neighbours”, with “loud” services and live music often running from 9am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday.

He wrote that the children playing in the church’s small garden area “plague” most of his weekends, and claimed the noise, which is already “unbearable”, would only get worse if the cafe was approved.

East Hill Baptist Church has been approached for a response to the objectors’ comments.

A decision on the application is expected before mid-September, and residents can comment for or against the application until August 23.