T in the Park bosses were forced to defend their relocation to Strathallan Castle after criticism from two leading conservation groups.
The Woodland Trust Scotland revealed its opposition to the plan, claiming the festival could pose a danger to bats and squirrels living in woodlands around the Perthshire estate.
Promoters DF Concerts also came under fire from RSPB Scotland, which said organisers were “running out of time” to confirm their strategy for removing an osprey nest.
In a statement, RSPB Scotland said DF Concerts appeared to be “poorly organised and unprofessional” and added: “Unless a clear plan to deal with ospreys and other wildlife emerges in the next few days, it will be too late for them to ensure aproposal can go ahead as planned without unnecessary impacts on wildlife at the site.”
A spokesman said the plan to remove and rebuild the nest outside the mainfestival site was achievable, but added: “However, the work must be done in the next few days when the birds are away from the nest site on their winter migration.”
An initial public consultation on thefestival move ended last month, but onFriday, Perth and Kinross Council issued a demand for more information from DF Concerts, extending the consultation by a further 28 days.
Charles Dundas from the Woodland Trust said: “Ancient woodland isirreplaceable habitat which needs to be valued andprotected.
“Holding T in the Park at Strathallan Castle will have a huge annual effect on the wildlife and the woodland surrounding the sitesupports.”
He added: “Disturbance on this scale from noise and artificial light within ancient woodland will have an appalling and cumulative impact on wildlife every year.”
The trust, which also raised concerns about litter, lodged its objection outwith the initial 28-day consultation period and was last night waiting to hear if its response was valid.
A DF Concerts spokeswoman said: “The Woodlands Trust has made no formalrepresentation to Perth and Kinross Council about T in the Park’s relocation despite there being ample opportunity to do so.
“Therefore, we’re assuming that they have not read our environmental statement, which would answer many of theirquestions.”
She added: “We’re also confident that we can robustly address all of the ecological and habitat questions raised by any of the statutory consultees.
“We have been in constant engagement with the RSPB throughout this process and the feedback has been that they arecomfortable with our strategy.
“Our mitigation plan is being carried out by a recognised ornithologist who is an expert on this protected species. The timing of works has been based on his advice.”