PLANNERS have given permission for the McDonald’s iconic golden arch to be raised in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

The fast-food giant has secured advertisement consent from Bradford Council for the installation of one totem sign, one golden arch sign, two accessible parking bay signs and one entry/give way sign at Riversdale, Coutances Way, Burley-in-Wharfedale.

It is the site of the former Kashmiri Aroma Restaurant which ceased trading in May when McDonald's acquired the site.

McDonald's submitted a full planning application in June for external alterations to the building and car park to facilitate the conversion to a new McDonald's restaurant and take-away. That application (ref. 23/01734/FUL) is still pending a decision by planners.

However, the company now has permission for the golden arches and totem sign.

A planning officer's report says: "The site consists of a detached stone building set back and on a higher land level to the highway with a large car park to the front. The site is located off the Ilkley Road, in Burley-in-Wharfedale. The site has long established use as a restaurant and take-away. The changes to the advertisements are required following the acquisition of the site by a new company."

Although publicity was not required for advertisements the application attracted three letters of objection. Points raised were: this is a dangerous section of road which has speed cameras; the advertisements will cause distractions to drivers making road safety even more dangerous; query how this will impact on wildlife as it will be lit long after dark; the ethics of the company were raised and the harmful appearance of the signage.

However, giving permission for the signs the planning officer said: "The directional signs within the site do not raise any concerns and would improve highway safety by helping to control the access and egress points.

"The sign on the building would be illuminated but not flashing and is comfortably set away from the highway. As per the existing sign in this location.

"The totem sign would have no greater appreciable impact than the existing sign. The illuminated element is not flashing and not significant in scale.

"In considering the stretch of road to which the site abuts, the existing signs in the area and those proposed, it is clear that that the new advertisements would not be detrimental to highway or pedestrian safety and would not cause any confusion or harmful distraction to drivers."