People power has persuaded a community council to drop its objection to T in the Park’s contentious Strathallan Castle plan.
Members of the Muthill and Tullibardine watchdog group agreed to withdraw their formal complaint after talks with scores of local supporters.
The organisation had originally objected to the festival’s proposed move to Strathallan, claiming a lack of backing from residents.
In its letter to the local authority from February, the community council said it had received 26 letters from people “strongly opposed” to the move, but had not heard from anyone in favour.
“These are facts that cannot be ignored,” the group said.
“There are no doubt many in our community who support the application and many who are indifferent.
“It is, however, not unreasonable to presume that the absence of any representation from supporters to community council means that not a significant number of local people are strongly in favour.”
But community councillors decided to change their position when they were faced with around 60 supporters at the group’s monthly meeting.
They voted to withdraw their objection and adopted a neutral stance.
Secretary Cameron MacKenzie said: “My impression is that the presence of a large audience of people supporting Strathallan Estate as the T in the Park venue had an impact on some community council members.
“Had the audience been largely hostile to the plan, the vote might well have turned out differently.”
Meanwhile, more supporters are showing their backing for the festival relocation, thanks partly to a growing social media campaign.
According to the CommuniTitp Facebook page, more than 100 red wooden T signs have been distributed around the area since the drive was launched at the weekend.
The Strathallan T Action Group (Stag), which is opposed to the plan, said it is continuing to monitor ospreys which have been spotted at the site.
Festival organisers DF Concerts could be forced to create a buffer zone around the protected birds’ nest.
Stag alerted police when the ospreys arrived on site earlier this month.
Investigators have told members of the protest group that their complaint about alleged wildlife crime at the site was still under investigation.
DF Concerts have also asked police to investigate the authenticity of the protest group’s osprey video.
On Monday, East Strathearn Community Council will meet to discuss T’s traffic management proposals. The meeting at Madderty Hall runs from 7.30 to 9.30pm.