This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Gigs & Festivals Live Business
Strathallan Estate owners defend decision to host T In The Park
By Chris Cooke | Published on Thursday 12 March 2015
Part-owners of the Strathallan Estate in Scotland have defended the decision to allow Scottish music festival T In The Park to move to the site later this year, amidst criticism from some locals and two nature groups.
As previously reported, T In The Park promoters DF Concerts announced the festival would be leaving its long-term home at Balado in Kinross before last year’s event took place, subsequently announcing Strathallan Castle in Perthshire as its new site.
The move is still being considered by Perth And Kinross Council after an initial consultation resulted in 523 submissions, slightly more against than for the proposal. Meanwhile RSPB Scotland and the Woodland Trust Scotland, while not lodging formal objections, have both raised concerns about an event the size of T In The Park coming to the Strathallan Estate.
But co-owners of the site, Jamie and Debs Roberts, insist T coming to their property will be good for the local area, while disputing some of the claims made by the RSPB and Woodland Trust. According to the BBC, they said: “Our family has owned Strathallan Estate for more than a century and it is with a deep sense of heritage and responsibility that we steward the land and the buildings we are fortunate to be responsible for”.
They added: “We have lived and run our business in the area for decades and take no decision lightly, least of all such a significant one for the future as this. Strathallan has a wonderful environment that we have done much to protect and enhance. It is not our intention to change this – after all the environs of the estate are the main attraction for DF Concerts to hold T In The Park here”.
Insisting that the arrival of the festival would be good for the local area, they went on: “Strathearn has opened its arms to the world with events such as the Ryder Cup and G8 summit. It is vital that T In The Park is given the platform to continue to complement these events and further raise the profile of Perth and Kinross as a world-renowned venue. The people of Strathearn should be proud of this opportunity and embrace it. It isn’t something to be ashamed of. It is modern, forward thinking and a true recognition of the vibrancy of what rural Scotland should be”.
A second public consultation is being held to consider the festival taking place at Strathallan, with council officials seeking more information from DF about their plans.
