For a brief moment yesterday it looked like this weekend's Leeds Festival might lose its licence at the last minute after it materialised organisers, Mean Fiddler, had failed to apply for permission to set up two temporary access roads to the new site at Bramham Park.
With opposition to the Festival already strong in certain parts of the local council, some predicted the Festival would have its licence withdrawn at an emergency licensing meeting last night called to discuss why local authorities hadn't been told about the access roads earlier. But in the end the meeting decided to let the oversight go without repercussion, ensuring the Festival can proceed as planned, though insiders say the vote was very close.
There was a mixed response from local councillors to the licensing board's decision. Councillor John Procter told the BBC: "The panel decided not to take any action and that's something I do regret. I think people should put planning applications in and they should be judged by the appropriate elected members."
But one of his colleagues, Councillor Bernard Atha, said: "I think it's very good for Leeds, personally I can't stand the noise they make at those festivals, I can't enjoy them, but thousands do. And it's no reason why if I shouldn't enjoy opera, they shouldn't enjoy a pop festival. It's good for Leeds, and it puts Leeds on the map in a different sector of the public than previously."
Mean Fiddler's Melvyn Benn admitted not seeking permission for the access roads was an oversight, but added that access to the site had been organised with safety in mind.