Residents still have security concerns

People living near the proposed Festival of House site have said a consultation event in Carnoustie earlier this month has done nothing to allay their fears about the event.

Many residents at the Panmure Estate who live beside the festival site continue to have concerns about the suitability of the location for a two-day festival which could attract more than 10,000 people.

Emma McGregor said: “Residents predict widespread traffic disruption and serious risk to safety similar to that witnessed at the recent T in The Park event.”

The festival’s project team is working with an external security company on a strategy for areas outwith the festival.

Proposed measures include 24-hour protection of residents’ properties and round-the-clock mobile patrolling and stewarding of external roads, including Montague Bridge which is more than 100 feet tall and spans a deep gully on the estate.

Ms Stewart added that the 24-hour security offer “is a welcome gesture but I feel angered that in order to feel less vulnerable throughout the duration the event, we need security surveillance. It feels like a gross violation.”

Fellow resident Morag Stewart added: “The general consensus among residents, and many others, is that beneath the professional displays of the consultation day was very little substance.”

Festival director Craig Blyth said that the residents open day had been “positively received” and that the organisers had welcomed the feedback.

He said: “We had a total of 100 attendees and received 51 completed questionnaires – 22 people were supportive, 19 were not supportive and 10 were undecided.”