T in the Park to continue at site, despite safety fears

SCOTLAND’S biggest music festival will continue to be staged at Balado near Kinross until at least 2013 – despite continuing safety fears over the risks posed to revellers by an oil and gas pipeline.

Concerns have been raised by health and safety officials about an underground North Sea pipeline running through the site, described as a “major hazard”.

The Health and Safety Executive said there were “substantial” concerns about the use of the site for the festival – which will be headlined by the Stone Roses and Snow Patrol this year

Council officials have said the problems caused by a failure in the pipe, although “unlikely”, could be “significant”.

A special meeting of the development control committee of Perth and Kinross Council is being held next Wednesday to discuss an application by organisers DF Concerts to stage the festival in 2012 and 2013.

T in the Park has been held at Balado since 1997 through a succession of temporary planning approvals. But the latest application is seeking planning permission for the wider use of the site for the next two years.

A report to the committee by Nick Brian, the council’s development quality manager, reveals the Government’s Health and Safety Executive has again raised concerns about the proposed development on the grounds of the risk to public safety due to a “hazardous pipeline” which runs through part of the site.

The BP Forties line carries crude oil and gas from Cruden Bay in Aberdeenshire to the Grangemouth oil refinery. But Mr Brian also stated that the time constraints involved in moving a “nationally important event” to an alternative site mean the HSE is willing to offer “broad support” to the principle of a temporary planning consent lasting until 2013.

Peter Baker, the head of the chemical industries division of the HSE’s Hazard Installations Directorate, said in a letter to the council that there were “substantial” concerns over safety, but would be supporting temporary planning for two years because of the importance of the events “provided there is progressive and proportionate risk reduction”.

But his letter also highlights some of the potential problems that could arise. He adds: “Hazard scenarios which may occur if the pipeline fails include: a fireball up to 220 metres in diameter, a burning jet up to 370m long and a burning cloud which could extend up to 680m.”

Mr Brian is recommending the committee approve the change of use application until 2013.

He adds: “This application seeks a consent for a limited period [two years only], and as a means of providing a practical and reasonable period to explore alternatives which would enable the continuation of one of Scotland’s most successful and popular social and cultural events.”

Mr Brian adds: “Progressive and proportionate risk reduction measures have been incorporated through a commitment to finding a new site, changes to site layout and planning conditions to limit population numbers and activities within the pipeline consultation zone.

“It is also noted the pipeline operator does not oppose the proposals. In these circumstances and after careful consideration, officers are satisfied that, when weighing the planning issue of public safety in the balance with economic and other benefits, a conditional planning approval can be supported.”