Councillors Approve T In The Park

Plans to stage T in the Park at Strathallan Castle this summer have been approved by councillors.

It comes after months of debate, consultation and negotiations, with some local residents and environmental groups opposing the plans.

DF Concerts, which runs Scotland's biggest music festival, announced last year that it had to move from its regular site in Balado as safety concerns grew over its proximity to a large oil pipeline.

It was initially thought that the event could operate in the grounds of the 19th-century Strathallan Castle with a permitted development and a public entertainment licence, but the discovery of osprey at Strathallan meant a formal planning application and an environmental statement was required with Perth and Kinross Council.

Two public consultations on the application have been held, with some environmental groups and local residents critical of the plans.

Concerns were also raised about traffic arrangements for the event, anti-social behaviour and impact on the local wildlife.

Last month, Perth and Kinross Council's development management committee recommended approving the move with a series of conditions.

It was recommended that the festival be held at Strathallan Castle for three years to "assess its impact''.

Councillors have now approved the application for the festival to be held between July 10 and 12 after a formal debate today.