T in the Park festival move 'needs planning consent'

T in the Park will need full council consent for its planned move to Strathallan Castle

T in the Park festival organisers will need to submit a full planning application before the event can move to Strathallan Castle.

DF Concerts will need to carry out an environmental impact study before consent can be given to relocate the festival from Balado.

Some tickets have already been sold, but Perth and Kinross Council has not yet received any planning notice.

A spokesman said DF Concerts was in discussions over the application.

The festival had been based at Balado, near Kinross, since 1997, but had to be moved after "substantial" health and safety fears were raised over an oil pipeline running under the site.

DF Concerts decided on a short move across Perthshire to the grounds of Strathallan Castle, but met opposition from local residents who wrote to the Scottish government demanding a review.

It was initially claimed that a full planning application would not need to be made unless the event was on site for more than 28 days.

However ministers have now ruled that an environmental impact study must be carried out ahead of full planning consent being given.

T in the Park had been based at Balado, near Kinross, since 1997

A Perth and Kinross Council spokeswoman said the authority was aware there was "a great deal of interest, both locally and nationally" in the progress of the case.

"T in the Park cannot go ahead at Strathallan Castle until planning consent has been granted," she said.

"Notwithstanding the council's support to retain the festival within the area, we take our responsibilities as a planning authority seriously.

"We will consider any planning application from DF Concerts to hold T in the Park at Strathallan Castle on its own merits and in line with national planning guidance."

A spokesman for DF Concerts said: "We are currently engaged in pre-application planning and discussions to ensure that all relevant documentation is in place.

"Regardless of the type of planning process, extensive, careful and detailed preparation has always been a hallmark of T in the Park's success - for this year and every year previous".