People camping at T in the Park could face dangerous flash floods unless the site is realigned, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
The Courier can reveal Sepa has lodged an objection to the festival’s planned new site at Strathallan Castle Estate in Perthshire.
Heavy rain in the area can bring unpredictable flash floods and the agency has asked festival bosses to move the campsite to higher ground.
DF Concerts is going through the planning process after moving its flagship festival from its long-term home at Balado, near Kinross.
Sepa’s response to the planning application states T in the Park may place participants at flood risk, contrary to Scottish planning policy.
If the local authority grants planning permission contrary to this advice on flood risk the matter could be referred to Scottish ministers.
The company needs to secure planning permission ahead of the first Strathallan festival in July, for which tickets have already been sold.
Sepa is clear it will review its objection if the issues raised are “adequately” addressed.
In its report the watchdog states two serious flash floods occurred in the Strathearn area near the proposed site.
There was 18mm of rain fall in just 15 minutes during the most recent, on July 16 2011. On August 20 2000, 17.8mm of rain fell in the same period.
These were recorded at Kinkell Bridge and Auchterarder, where it was also noted 20.8mm of rain fell in an hour on July 16 2011 and 30.5mm in one hour on August 20 2000.
Sepa said such rainfall will result in a “rapid sharp rise” in river levels and “limited prior” warning can be provided due to the localised nature of such storms.
The document recommends T in the Park relocates its campsite due to the danger of flash floods.
The environmental body also express concerns over the number of temporary bridges T in the Park intend to build over watercourses as part of the festival.
“Although we have no objection to this, it is imperative that emergency planning at Perth and Kinross Council accept this level of risk, particularly as there is likely limited prior warning to such convective rainfall events,” the Sepa report states.
The objection by Sepa is the latest setback for festival organiser DF Concerts.
It has faced a plethora of difficulties since announcing plans to stage the massive event at Strathallan Castle Estate after 18 years at Balado.
Nesting ospreys and a small amount of asbestos have been found on the site and local couple Mark and Kim Liddiar wrote to Scottish ministers asking for a review of the planning process.
Some neighbouring residents have lodged letters of support for the move, however..
A T in the Park spokesman said: “We’re currently in the middle of the consultation period for the planning application, which means that any individual, organisation or group can give feedback making this an extremely robust and open process.
“When statutory consultees want conditions inserted into a planning application they have no choice but to raise them as an objection.
“In their letter, Sepa has specifically said they will revise their position if we adequately address their points which we will.
“This is the norm for a planning process and we’ve always expected this, it would be highly unusual for any application to be rubber-stamped without conditions inserted and of course they will require to be delivered.”
“We have an excellent working relationship with Sepa, who have previously commended the way we operate the festival from an environmental point of view.
“The most recent environmental management plan has been built up over the years and it now includes comprehensive contingencies that can be adapted and applied to the new location in 2015 and beyond.
“Therefore, they know that we will once again take their guidance and follow it.”