COUNCILLORS have thrown Kent County Agricultural Society a financial lifeline by giving it planning permission for a large new building, contrary to countryside protection policies.

The building, to be used for events and exhibitions, will stand between the Astor Pavilion and John Hendry Pavilion on the county showground in Detling, near Maidstone.

Maidstone Borough Council's planning committee gave the approval in principle on Thursday after hearing the building was needed to maintain the financial viability of the showground.

The society's agent said it was needed to prevent the society from losing income because of the deficiencies of the site for events and exhibitions.

The Daily Mail Group had recently announced that it would withdraw its antique fairs from the site because of the lack of covered space.

Revenue from the fairs amounted to 30 per cent of the annual income of Kent Events and Exhibition Centre, the trading arm of the society.

Brian Morgan, Maidstone council's assistant director of regulatory services, said in his report that the site was in an area of outstanding natural beauty and the plan contravened countryside protection policies. However, the viability of the showground was a material planning consideration.

He said the society had made it evident that if planning permission were not granted, the showground would lose a major exhibitor and a substantial sum of money. It would also result in the showground operating at a deficit this year.

Kent County Council's economic development unit supported the application.