Organisers behind the UK Ijtima taking place north of Ipswich are 'delighted' with their progress despite council enforcement action and neighbour concerns.
Shrubland Estate, in Barham, is set to host the UK Ijtima - an event for Muslims internationally to join and learn from each other - between July 9 and 12.
Mid Suffolk Council have praised the 'willingness' of the event organisers amid enacting enforcement action after unauthorised work was carried out.
Shrubland Estate said: “Planning has progressed positively through engagement with local authorities, emergency services and partners.
"The UK Ijtima is a peaceful gathering centred on spiritual development and community values, not a political event or protest.
"We have remained in regular contact with neighbouring residents and are working to keep disruption to a minimum.”
Attendance of 10,000 is expected across the four-day event after social media reports slated the event to have more than 100,000 attendees - which was vehemently refuted by organisers previously.
The estate also stated a comprehensive traffic management plan has been developed which will see organised coach transport, with staggered arrival and departure times.
Qualified security personnel, trained event stewards and comprehensive welfare arrangements are also said to be in place.
A Mid Suffolk Council spokesperson said: "We welcome visitors and will always seek to ensure local events can be held safely without unnecessary disruption.
“We have given advice and guidance to the organisers who have provided… a clear commitment to delivering the event with minimal disruption.
“Police are continuing to engage directly with organisers to ensure that community impact and public safety remain central."
The council confirmed no activities at the event require a licence, but enforcement action was taken after an additional site access was created without permission.
A council spokesperson said work was halted immediately and the landowner has confirmed the access will not be used, with fencing reinstated.
A nearby resident raised concerns about environmental damage after the fencing was removed.
They say a wild deer habitat was disturbed due to the fencing removal and trees have been badly damaged and will not recover.
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Suffolk County Council said no formal traffic measures such as road closures had been requested. However, advisory signage will be installed to guide visitors from the A14 and reduce pressure on local roads.
Ipswich Borough Council Ruman Muhith - who has been heavily involved in the event's organisation - said he was “delighted” with progress, adding he had seen “first hand the professionalism” of preparations.
He said he hoped this would reassure the community the event had been planned responsibly, with public safety at the forefront.
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