Moves to ban a fast food giant from displaying its colours on the A90 have been dismissed as “pedantic” at an Angus Council meeting.
Transport Scotland feared a 10-metre “totem” sign at KFC’s recently-built Forfar branch would distract drivers next to a busy junction.
The roads body advised the local authority to amend a retrospective application for advertising at Orchardbank.
But development standards councillors have voted to allow operators Herbel Restaurants to keep the “sign B” against the roads department’s advice.
Development standards manager Alan Hunter said the sign and related branding are consistent with any other branch, but concerns were expressed over its proximity to the A90 junction and its relative remoteness from the restaurant.
Mr Hunter said: “The key considerations are impacts on amenity and the impacts on safety. Because the sign is close to the A90 trunk road, we must consult with Transport Scotland.”
Mr Hunter said the body had asked to approve the other signs only, due to concerns the totem will “cause driver confusion, with motorists trying to work out where the KFC is”.
“It’s a busy junction, it’s potentially a dangerous junction, but trunk roads are keen not to add to the danger there,” he added.
Councillor Alex King asked what would happen were the committee not to impose the condition.
He said: “It is no different to the other sign there and I think Transport Scotland and our roads department are being a bit pedantic.”
Senior planning officer Iain Mitchell said Transport Scotland would not have any direct powers to enforce its objection but would have to appeal to Scottish Ministers or the Court of Session.
Councillor David Fairweather said he was “taken aback” by objections to the sign, pointing to another example mere feet away.
“The McDonald’s sign is every bit as big and imposing as the KFC one,” he said. “I don’t see it being a problem at all.”
Agents for Herbel had believed the restaurant had permission to place the sign at the roadside, based on an agreement with landowner Angus Council.
However, committee convener Rob Murray moved to clarify the distinction between landowner and planning consents.
Mr King proposed an amendment against the condition, which was voted through by a majority of councillors.