T in the Park chose a proposed new site in Perthshire after looking at more than 100 potential homes, The Courier can reveal.
An environmental impact assessment (EIA) released today details how a scoping report of the Strathallan site was undertaken by DF Concerts ahead of next year’s switch from Balado, Kinross-shire.
The document shows that, despite more than 100 possible sites being identified, including those in the north-east of Scotland and the north of England, festival bosses chose Strathallan Castle in Perthshire.
The report states: “Ultimately, Strathallan Estate was selected from the two as the preferred site, on the basis of topography, aesthetics and road/transport infrastructure.”
The scoping report reveals that T in the Park’s site selection is based on the event being located no more than two hours’ travel from both Edinburgh and Glasgow and being a minimum of 600 acres in size.
However, the EIA report states that the festival is “likely” to have an adverse effect on native osprey.
A spokesman for DF Concerts said: “Over the last 18 years of hosting T in the Park in Kinross-shire, we’ve become highly experienced in managing the potential environmental impacts of the event.
“A considerable ecological and site investigation has already occurred and this has informed the potential design and layout of the new event site to avoid the majority of sensitive habitats on site. Particular attention will be given to managing and mitigating disturbance effects to osprey.”
“Two public consultation meetings have been arranged on November 19 and 20.
“A meeting with representatives from each local community council will take place on November 12 and a website has been set up to give local residents regular updates.”