DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson says he cannot see "any valid reason" for the removal of the Tiger's Bay bonfire.
Speaking during a visit to the Adam Street site in North Belfast on Thursday night, Sir Jeffrey said "respect is a two way street" and that the Tiger's Bay community should be allowed to "celebrate their culture".
After speaking to locals, he said that at an earlier meeting with the Chief Constable he "made it clear that the appropriate response is for the bonfire to remain and we trust in community leadership to ensure it passes off peacefully ".
Jeffrey Donaldson added that he had heard much in the media about the situation at Tiger's Bay, but "decided I should come here and see for myself what's happening and hear people's concerns".
He referred to previous calls to 'dial down the rhetoric', adding "I'm not here to dial anything up, I'm here to listen to people's concerns" and that "now is not a time to build up tension".
He added: "It's very clear, now I've been on the ground, I do not see any valid reason why this bonfire should be moved from this area."
Sir Jeffrey was accompanied by a number of DUP representatives including deputy leader Paula Bradley who insisted the bonfire is "in" Tiger's Bay. Much of the tension surrounding the pyre has been based on the assertion that is on an interface.
The bonfire sits on wasteland across a road from the nationalist New Lodge district.
Locals insist the bonfire has been moved back from a gateway onto Duncan Gardens and has no flags or effigies on it. They say it will be burnt in around two hours.
National leaders, however, have said the bonfire has been a source of anti social behaviour.
Last week the Chief Constable described it as the "most contentious" bonfire in the region. The pyre has been the subject of ongoing talks involving police and Stormont ministers as well as local political representatives and community reps.
