A popular event held near Kinross for the last 50 years has been forced to pull the plug due to planning issues on the site.
The Scottish Traction Engine Society (STES) was due to hold its annual rally at Balado Park in May, but because permission for the venue has been revoked, the organisers have had no choice but to cancel.
In response to an application to permanently change the use of the site to hold events there all year round, the Health and Safety Executive raised concerns over public safety.
An oil pipeline buried about three feet below the ground led officials to make the claim there was a risk event-goers could be killed in a “gigantic fireball” if there was a pipeline failure.
Scottish Government ministers are considering the application, and until a decision is made no events can be held there.
The exception appears to be the giant T in the Park music festival preparations for which are already under way, with plans submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.JeopardyHowever, other smaller scale events such as the STES rally have been put in jeopardy.
A spokesman from the STES committee said, “The information we have at present from the operators of Balado Park is that there is no planning permission for any event on the site. We have been advised that it is now in the hands of the Scottish Government.
“They may grant approval before our event in May, but as we are now at the stage in planning our event that requires financial outlay, we are not willing to go ahead with an event that we may not have permission to hold by May.
“We have also taken into consideration our exhibitors, many of whom come from Ireland and the Isle of Man, who need to book ferries and make travel arrangements, and we feel it is unfair to ask them to have financial outlay for an event that may not have permission to take place.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, especially as this is our 50th anniversary year, but as there is no other suitable site in Scotland for this event we have reluctantly been left with little choice but to cancel the event now.”
Consideration of the application has already been extended until Wednesday and a decision is expected soon after.
A Scottish Government spokesman said, “We are currently considering all relevant documentation and considerations, and will come to a decision on whether any further examination of the plans is required as soon as possible.”
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Martin Pettitt.