RSPB Scotland has been accused of wasting a “golden opportunity” by refusing to stand in the way of T in the Park’s proposed move to Strathallan Castle.
The charity has come under fire after it revealed it would not be making a formal objection against the festival’s plans, despite accepting that it had concerns about the removal of an osprey nest from the main site.
Once-loyal supporters have bombarded the bird welfare organisation with complaints, with some threatening not to renew their membership.
The charity said it understood why some followers are unhappy, but insisted that if the festival’s plan is successful the ospreys will be “relatively unaffected”.
A spokesman for the Strathallan T Action Group, which protests against the festival, said: “What a shame that RSPB Scotland would rather protect the profits of a private company (DF Concerts) and a landowner, rather than the birds it purports to represent.
“It is happy for ospreys to be displaced from a nest that their own report states has been their home for five years and where three young were successfully fledged last year.”
Scores of disgruntled supporters went online to voice their anger.
In a post to the RSPB’s Facebook page, Nick Gordon said he was considering ending his membership.
“This was a golden opportunity for a combined show of strength from conservation groups to say an emphatic no to organisers, instead of which I fear a dangerous precedent will have been set should the event get the green light I suspect this is now a foregone conclusion.”
An RSPB spokeswoman said: “We understand that some people may be disappointed that we did not object to the T in the Park planning application.
“However, we have to be realistic and base our submission on the evidence available. It is very likely that the osprey pair will move to the new nest site and be relatively unaffected.”
RSPB Scotland has urged Perth and Kinross Council to insist on extra protection measures if planning permission is granted.
“Should these measures not be implemented properly, and disturbance is caused to nesting ospreys or to any other nesting wild birds, it is possible that an offence may be committed,” the charity’s spokeswoman said. “The onus is on the promoters and on Perth and Kinross Council to make sure this does not happen.”
Organisers DF Concerts’ plan is to create a new nest for the protected ospreys at another location on the Strathallan Estate.
A spokeswoman said: “As experienced, award-winning event organisers, we have always met the conditions placed on us by all statutory bodies, plus we take guidance from various expert organisations, and this would continue at Strathallan.
“We love Strathallan and we are committed to ensuring minimal disruption and to preserving its beauty and its wildlife.”