Protesters were left reeling after plans for a new development at the Trinity United Reformed Church in Wimbledon were passed.

Councillors voted overwhelmingly to allow the new two-storey hall at the rear of the Mansel Road church to go ahead, providing facilities for youth work and other activities.

Residents gathered a 500-name petition against the proposals, citing inappropriate design and increased traffic and noise among their objections.

Councillors on Mertons planning and licensing committee, however, were not opposed to the plans.

Councillor George Reynolds said: Buildings like this usually do good in the community.

The churchs minister, Reverend Ceri Lewis, tried to appease the pro-testers.

He said: Volunteers will manage the building and ensure that noise is restricted to a minimum.

However, resident Susan Murray-Wicks called it a disaster. It is a residential road we are not part of the town centre. Our road has got worse over the years, she said.