Melvin Benn is now looking forward to a good festival

Up to 50,000 fans are expected to start arriving on the site at Bramham Park, near Wetherby, on Thursday afternoon, after the threat of an eleventh hour cancellation was averted.

An emergency planning meeting was held by Leeds City Council after it emerged that festival organisers had failed to seek planning permission for three temporary access roads.

But councillors voted 6-5 in favour of taking no action over the contentious issue - to the dismay of local residents campaigning against the three-day event.

Melvin Benn told BBC News Online that he was now looking forward to the festival getting under way after the "political hoo-ha" of the past few days.

He said: "The irony of it all is that 50,000 people attended Bramham Horse Trials using routes through Bramham and Thorner."

"From day one I took a proactive position that I did not want that though.

"I wanted new access ways so I didn't impact on the villages and to do everything I could to minimise disruption.

Up to 50,000 fans will listen to top bands at the Bramham site

"But it's exactly these measures that some locals have been complaining about."

Mr Benn said he now hoped the rock fans arriving in Bramham would show people that the festival does not warrant its reputation for trouble.

"My message to the fans is to come along, have a great weekend and prove that this is a great show and valid thing for young people."

"My message to local people who still have concerns is: 'Live and let live'

"Everyone was young once, everyone should be given the opportunity of enjoying it.

"At times that means different things happen in different communities - please allow a little bit of tolerance in life."