The founder of the Glastonbury Festival has lost this year's event – but he can build a new barn on his land at Pilton.

This year's festival, marking the event's 50th birthday, has been postponed due to the coronavirus, which organiser Michael Eavis described as "a terrible blow".

But in among the sadness and massive financial implications of this decision, there is one silver lining for Somerset's best known farmer.

Mr Eavis was refused permission by Mendip District Council in June 2019 to build a new cattle barn near Worthy Farm, which hosts the festival.

But the Planning Inspectorate has now ordered this decision should be reversed, dismissing the council's fears about building in open countryside.

The new Dutch barn will be build on the north side of Pylle Road in Pilton, north of the main Worthy Farm site.

Mr Eavis intends to use the building to house cattle and store feed as part of a plan to expand his herd.

Mendip District Council's planning board narrowly refused the original plans, arguing the barn was in the wrong place and amounted to building in open countryside – something which is traditionally discouraged in planning law.

Councillor Nigel Hewitt-Cooper – whose ward includes Worthy Farm – said at the time: "I feel it would be better if it was on the southern side of the road.

"Pylle Road can be fast. To have to take livestock back and forth across that, I think it would be an unnecessary danger to both vehicles and pedestrians."

Planning inspector Adrian Hunter visited the site on January 27 and recommended the council's decision be reversed in his official report, citing a "unique set of circumstances".

He said: "For a variety of reasons, mainly associated with the temporary festival activities that take place on the wider farm, and the topography of the area, there are no other suitable locations within the Worthy Farm site where the new barn could be located.

"The proposed development would not harm the overall character and appearance of the area. Proposed access and parking arrangements would be satisfactory and there is no evidence that highway safety would be compromised."