The staging of Scotland's biggest music festival has been given the green light to go ahead at a Perthshire castle by planners - but still needs the approval of councillors.

T in the Park's move to 19th century Strathallan Castle from its home of 17 years, Balado airfield in Perth and Kinross, has been at the centre of controversy over environmental concerns.

There were initially no problems with the plans to operate in the grounds with a permitted development and a public entertainment licence, but the discovery of osprey in the castle's grounds meant a formal planning application and an environmental statement was required with Perth and Kinross Council.

Two public consultations on the application were held, with some environmental groups and local residents critical.

The local authority's development management committee said it has reviewed the consultation responses and that "the development complies with the relevant provisions of the development plan".

Councillors will now vote on the plans at a meeting on May 12.

An osprey nest close to the proposed site sparked a dispute between the festival's organisers and opponents but the development committee said mitigation measures for wildlife and forestry are "considered to be appropriate".

Organisers DF Concerts' experience of running large-scale events in other "sensitive environments" was also highlighted.

As well as examining consultation responses, the report also considered "traffic and transport implications, ecology and ornithology, landscape and visual impact, cultural heritage and other issues".

A summary of the decision read: "This report recommends approval of the application for a temporary period to allow for a single event (music festival) to take place in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

"This period is considered appropriate as it will allow for monitoring and review of all aspects of the event to be undertaken to inform future assessment of the event at Strathallan.

"Furthermore, on the basis of the submitted information and review of all consultation responses and letters of representation, it is considered that the development complies with the relevant provisions of the development plan and there are no material considerations apparent which outweigh the development plan."

A spokesman for RSPB Scotland said: "Council officials have recommended that T in the Park can go ahead at Strathallan Castle and it appears that the very strict conditions required by RSPB Scotland have been included.

"Should Perth and Kinross Council be minded to grant planning permission for the festival, there must be assurances that these will be fully adhered to, to minimise the risk of any disturbance to nesting birds at the site.

"The final decision on whether or not T in the Park can go ahead at DF Concerts chosen venue now rests with Perth and Kinross Councillors. RSPB Scotland urges them to ensure that the needs of wildlife on the site are fully taken into account in their decision."

Despite the ongoing application, the line-up for the festival held between July 10 and 12 has been announced, with Kasabian, The Libertines, Twin Atlantic and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds named as some of the headline acts.

DF Concerts had been forced to move from Balado as safety concerns grew over its proximity to a large oil pipeline.