The Taw Valley Creamery in North Tawton is proposing to mount 440 solar panels on its roof to provide green energy for its cheese factory - and has applied to to West Devon Borough Council to see if it needs prior approval to go ahead.

The application, 4408/21/PST, has been made by Darren Westlake of Arla Foods, which owns the dairy, and Solarsense, a renewable energy company who will be supplying the solar panels.

Meanwhile, Mr Hockridge of Reddaway Farm, Sampford Courtenay has applied to WDBC for Listed Building Consent to convert historic barns close to the Grade II listed farmhouse into three homes.

Comments are invited from the public on the application, 4199/21/LBC, by December 23 via the planning section of the WDBC website. This comes after WDBC granted conditional approval for another historic barn conversion project beside Westworthy Farmhouse in Bondleigh. The council has given conditional approval to Mr and Mrs Richards’ application, 3621/21/LBC, to convert traditional barns into two homes, one one-bed and the other two-bed, along with gardens and parking.

Another application puts forward plans to convert an agricultural building into a dwelling at Lower Lewer, Hatherleigh, application 4281/21/PDM.

In this case ’Class Q’ consent is being sought, which allows an agricultural building on a working farm to be converted into a dwelling without the need for planning permission, provided the local planning authority agrees.

Other planning applications submitted to West Devon Borough Council include:

Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed rear lean-to extension to the two-storey dwelling and conversion of the integral garage for additional accommodation, 45 Pearse Close, Hatherleigh â?? http://apps.westdevon.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/Home/Details/214377

Application to determine if prior approval is needed for the construction of a dung/slurry store, Crooke Burnell, North Tawton â?? http://apps.westdevon.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/Home/Details/214333

Application by Western Power Distribution to upgrade electrical power lines in the Sampford Courtenay area with intallation of a circular 14/90 overhead line from Greenhill Cross to Peckington Cross, two additional telegraph poles and a third wire â?? http://apps.westdevon.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/Home/Details/214379

Application to determine if prior approval is needed to convert agricultural buildings into five houses at West Nymph Farm, South Tawton â?? http://apps.westdevon.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/Home/Details/214376

Notice of intention to install electronic communications apparatus including eight wooden telegraph poles to carry fibre cables, Morwellham Quay near Gulworthy â?? http://apps.westdevon.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/Home/Details/214338

Application to determine if prior approval is required for brand new building for agricultural use, Oaklands, North Tawton â?? http://apps.westdevon.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/Home/Details/214376