Appendix 3 - Feedback from Environmental Health, Greenspace and Roads Department
Perth and Kinross Council · 8 June 2026
Back to Licensing Committee — 8 June 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 Civic Licensing From: Dawn Stewart Sent: 26 May 2026 10:42 To: Karen Engelberts Subject: Heartland Environmental Health Summary Heartland Festival was first held in 2024 with no complaints with regards to noise being received by the Environmental Health Team Department (EH) during or after the event. Whilst no noise mapping was carried out prior to the event, EH were in attendance and carried out sound checks with the organisers noise consultant prior to the first band coming on stage. Sound checks were carried out at the perimeter of festival ground at Ferry Crescent and in the area known as the bleachers below Bruach Lane. The property at the entrance to the Recreation ground, known as Parkview was noted on the Councils mapping system as a short-term-let property. Regular noise measurements were carried out during the event during walk rounds from Ferry Crescent, Port-na-Craig, Foss Road, Atholl Road, Bruach Lane, Ferry Road. Attempts to carry out noise measurements at a property on Bruach Lane overlooking the festival site were denied by the property owner. EH officers later met with the residents of the property who apologised for denying access believing that we were festival goers trying to get access to the site. The residents advised that they were not disturbed by the noise and were heading into the festival grounds to enjoy the event. All measurements taken during the event by both the EH team and the organisers noise consultant met the level in the Noise Councils Code of Practice on Noise Control at Concerts 1995. 2025 – again no complaints were received by the EH team during the event. The EH team were made aware on the day of the festival that the property known as Parkview was occupied as a residential property. Attempts were made to undertake measurements at this property but there was no one in residence at the time. Whilst the EH team attempted to take measurements as close to the property as possible, due to the positioning of the fairground rides such as the Ferris Wheel and associated generators, a clean measurement of the music noise level was not possible. All other measurements taken during the event met with the Code of Practice level. The occupier of Parkview made contact with the EH Team on 25 September 2025. Full Consultee Response EH contacted the occupier of Parkview via emails and a follow up phone call on 14 October 2025. Concerns regarding noise were discussed and the occupier was advised that all points raised would be discussed with the event organiser. It was confirmed that the occupier was not in residence during the weekend. Subsequent follow up discussions and correspondence with the event organiser have resulted in the engagement of KSG Acoustics who have undertaken sound mapping to plot the spread of music noise from the Front of House position. This has identified a number of changes needed to comply with the Code of Practice level at the property Parkview. These include: a reduction in the stage size, a change to the stage orientation, a change to the speaker system to reduce the splay allowing a more directional output and a reduction of the sound level at the Front of House position.
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2 KSG will be in attendance throughout the event and will undertake sound checks and regular noise measurements in conjunction with EH officers, with an undertaken given that sound levels will be adjusted should the Code of Practice levels not be met. This may be necessary, as it is accepted that predicted levels may be influenced by factors such as temperature and wind conditions, audience numbers etc. An updated Noise Management Plan has been developed by KSG and submitted to the SAG group. A review by EH has noted a couple of points which need to be addressed and as such a revised NMP is awaited. During discussions with KSG it was suggested that they engage with the resident of Parkview, who had advised during the call on 14 October that he would be happy for noise measurements to be undertaken at the property. Confirmation of this is awaited prior to the EH team making contact with the resident of Parkview. It has also been confirmed that this will be the last year that the Heartland Festival will be held on Pitlochry Recreation ground as the festival has outgrown the site. Plans have been advertised for a move to the site in Ballinluig which is being used for parking at this year's event. Dawn Stewart AMIOA Environmental Health Officer Housing & Communities Perth & Kinross Council Pullar House 35 Kinnoull Street Perth PH1 5GD Tel:
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1 Civic Licensing From: Dave Stubbs Sent: 25 May 2026 13:31 To: Karen Engelberts Subject: RE: Heartland Festival Hi Karen, Thank you for making Community Greenspace aware of the objections to the Heartland Festival. I can provide feedback in relation to the Jeiger objection in respect of the section 11 exemption (point 6) and briefly in relation to otters and other species (points 10 and 11 . . . ). Section 11 Exemption Order. It is recognised that due to the nature and scale of the Heartland Festival, and because a charge is levied for admission, the public’s right of responsible access to the core path in particular and to the park in general will be restricted during the event. It would be competent for the Council, following an application or at our own initiative, to make a Section 11 order, to formally exempt the land from access rights for the event. Such orders have been made for the G8 Summit, the Ryder Cup, T in the Park (one year only) and a small number of other events. It is not a requirement, and many other events go ahead without one. The public understand that, irrespective of access rights, they won’t be allowed in without a ticket. Alternative paths and play facilities are available elsewhere in the town. As a learning point from previous years, we could signpost these and ask the organiser to ensure event stewards are briefed. There may be a more serious issue in relation to wildlife disturbance. The venue is adjacent to the River Tay SAC, and it is likely that otters, a European protected species (and bats) may be present. I sought further advice on this from our Planning Officer Robert Wills and, following that, called Mr Howie from Heartland to suggest he take advice from Nature Scot’s licencing team, providing contacts for him to follow up. Dave Stubbs. From: Robert Wills Sent: 04 May 2026 11:01 To: Dave Stubbs ; Joanna Dick Cc: PKC Biodiversity Subject: RE: Heartland Festival Hi Dave There is highly likely to be otters on this stretch of the river, the impacts will differ depending on how they’re using it. The objector is right that an HRA should be carried out to assess the impacts on the Tay SAC. Due to the high population the main impact is however going to be on the otter as a protected European Species (information for both can be gathered at the same time). I would also extend this to bats subject to proximity of the trees. A licence will be needed for the otters if it’s going to disturb them in their resting place or disrupting their route to resting places.
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2 As Joanna’s away I would suggest getting in touch with the NatureScot licensing team 01463 725364 for a quicker definitive answer. Expect to have to carry out a survey and mitigation around timing, where fencing is placed, and any overnight security lighting, it will depend on survey findings and recommendations. regards Robert Wills Planning Officer Perth & Kinross Council www.pkc.gov.uk
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1 Civic Licensing From: James Watson Sent: 29 May 2026 08:02 To: Karen Engelberts Subject: FW: Heartland Festival Attachments: TM Committee Briefing Note 2026.docx Hi Karen Please see the attached, Network Team Report for the Heartland Festival Kind Regards Jim James Watson | Roads Network Superintendent | Roads Network Management | Environment and Infrastructure | Perth & Kinross Council. Email: | Tel: | Mob: Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street | Perth | PH1 5GD | Scotland Perth and Kinross Council Comhairle Pheairt is Cheann Rois www.pkc.gov.uk
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Background Heartland Festival is an established event that has been delivered successfully over the past two years within the Recreation Ground and Dundarach Field, Pitlochry. However, due to the ongoing Tesco development within Dundarach Field, which is now under construction, the event can no longer utilise this area for parking purposes. As a result, the organiser has been required to develop a revised parking and traffic management strategy for the 2026 event. Traffic Management and Parking Strategy - Traffic Subgroup In response to the loss of parking provision at Dundarach Field, the event organiser requested the establishment of a Traffic Subgroup to consider alternative arrangements. The subgroup was subsequently formed and included representation from: Perth & Kinross Council (PKC), BEAR Scotland North West, Traffic Scotland, Police Scotland and Alba Traffic Management. The subgroup met on a few occasions to review and assess all feasible local parking options, including both on-street and off-street capacity. Following detailed consideration, the subgroup concluded that the event could not safely rely solely on the limited existing parking provision within Pitlochry; especially during the peak tourist season, when parking demand is already high. In addition, there is an element of uncertainty associated with traffic behaviour due to the forthcoming BEAR NW piling works on the A924 – A9(T) Pitlochry southbound to northbound off-slip road, which requires the road to be closed. This closure’s impact is an unknown but has the potential to increase the risk of congestion within the town. These unknown traffic behaviours and the additional event traffic influenced the group to ask the Organiser to consider other alternatives. Revised Traffic Management Plan In response to this request, the organiser has undertaken a comprehensive revision of the Traffic Management Plan (TMP), supported by significant additional investment. The revised TMP includes the following measures: Increased Public Transport Provision Enhanced promotion and availability of public transport options to reduce reliance on private vehicles. Expanded Shuttle Bus Operations A significant increase in shuttle bus services to facilitate transport between remote parking locations and the event site. Remote Park & Ride Facility Introduction of a dedicated Park & Ride site located outwith Pitlochry, near Ballinluig, supported by high-frequency shuttle services. These measures are intended to significantly reduce the volume of event-related traffic entering Pitlochry, minimise pressure on the existing on-street and off-street parking,
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reduce the risk of congestion within the town centre and surrounding road network and importantly, address the community concerns regarding traffic impact and accessibility during the event. Summary Due to the loss of Dundarach Field for parking, the organiser has worked collaboratively with key stakeholders through the Traffic Subgroup to develop a revised and robust traffic management strategy. The introduction of enhanced public transport, increased shuttle services, and a remote Park & Ride facility represents a significant shift in approach, aimed at mitigating the identified risks and supporting the safe operation of the event within Pitlochry.