T In The Park’s move to Strathallan Castle has been approved by Perth and Kinross council, meaning that the festival will continue until at least 2017.
The BBC reports that, after a 90-minute meeting involving arguments from supporters and opponents of the plan earlier today (May 12), councillors unanimously backed a three-year approval of the application, during which time its local impact will be assessed.
Geoff Ellis, of DF Concerts, had previously raised concerns that if the site is not approved then it may spell the end of T in the Park. Ellis told BBC Scotland, “I don’t think there is a venue, without going very far north in Scotland, which would be viable for T In The Park, so yes, I don’t think it would carry on if we didn’t host it at Strathallan this year.”
Festival organiser DF Concerts originally moved the Scottish festival from its former site in Balado over safety concerns regarding its proximity to a large oil pipeline.
The move has been divisive among local people around the relocated site, however, with the council receiving over 1,600 letters of objection concerning area wildlife and traffic management.
A report by development quality manager Nick Brian, who suggested giving plans the green light only in the short-term, influenced the council’s decision.
Tickets are still on sale for this year’s T In The Park planned for July 10-12, which is set to feature headline slots from The Libertines, Kasabian and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
In April T In The Park organisers assured ticketholders that the festival would go ahead in its new home at Strathallan Castle, despite reports that the presence of a protected species of bird might put the event at risk.