T in the Park organisers have accused of a “lack of transparency” over their proposed move to a new site.
DF Concerts said they gave robust answers to questions on their proposed move from Balado to Strathallan, stating they are doing “everything required” of them but, after a lengthy meeting between MSPs, MPs, MEPs and council officers in Perth, Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, told The Courier she is not happy with the way the planning situation has been handled.
The Conservative politician said those who attended the hour-long meeting questioned Geoff Ellis, chief executive officer of DF Concerts, about a “lack of transparency” after he briefed them on the planning timeline and how the music festival organisers intend to go forward with the event.
DF Concerts (DFC) lodged a ‘pre-application plan’ with Perth and Kinross Council last week after the Scottish Government had insisted they do so.
They were also ordered to compile an environmental impact assessment due to ospreys nesting on Strathallan estate and a small quantity of asbestos discovered there.
“What is happening is the process,” she commented.
“Until the decision was made a few weeks ago that DFC and Events had to go for planning permission, they were operating under permitted development.
“Under permitted development, they were doing everything required of them.”
She continued: “All major events run under public entertainment licences, therefore all events are subject to licence conditions from the moment they are announced and go on sale.
“We can’t understand why some elected members seem not to be aware of it.
“If they (DFC) waited until all licences and consents were in place before announcing them, then there would be no One Direction, Take That, AC/DC, The Killers, the Stone Roses, nor any other major events like Hogmanay or any other music festivals.
“Maybe the public aren’t aware of this but elected representatives, who determine the licensing and planning laws, whether it be in Westminster or Holyrood, certainly should be.
“We appreciate that there are some people in the local community who do not want T in the Park or any other major event to come to Strathallan, regardless of the information available and that is their prerogative.
“However, we will not allow those protestations to stop us from having meaningful dialogue with the rest of the community.”