The organisers of a dance music festival have been described as “very arrogant” by selling tickets without having a licence for the event to go ahead.
Dance group Underworld has been announced as the first headline act at the planned two-day event at the Panmure Estate in Angus next June, which could attract around 15,000 people.
However, the Festival of House organisers are accused of “selling something which doesn’t exist” by a Panmure Estate resident because the festival doesn’t have a licence.
A festival spokesman said it was the “industry standard” for licences to be granted nearer the time of events and that conversations with Angus Council were “advancing positively”.
“There are a lot of concerns about the event,” said a person who lives near the festival site.
“Roads into the estate can’t be policed because they are not on land owned by the person who is renting the fields to the festival. So there’s nothing to stop youngsters roaming all over the estate.
“We are concerned about noise and drug gangs operating in the area. I won’t be sleeping that whole weekend if it gets the go-ahead.
“I can’t believe that they are putting tickets on sale.”
The event is due to take place on June 10 and 11.
Responding to the claims, a festival spokesman said: “The consultation process with Angus Council commenced almost a year ago and conversations are advancing positively and in a timely manner to ensure regulations are met.
“We are entirely confident that the concerns of any residents will in due course be allayed and a residents’ consultation paper is in the process of being delivered to residents and stakeholders.
“We look forward to continuing these discussions, answering any questions and providing reassurances in a transparent way.”
An Angus Council spokesman confirmed that initial screening assessments determined that there is no requirement for an environmental impact assessment and thus no requirement for planning consent.
The spokesman said: “While we and other statutory agencies are offering assistance in accordance with our guidelines for safe and legal events, it is important to stress that no licences have been granted for the proposed event at this time and any applications will be considered in the normal way.”
“The timing of announcements of this type are a matter for the organisers.”