RESIDENTS in Sampford Courtenay have welcomed a decision by West Devon Borough councillors to visit the site to see for themselves a barn in an historic farmyard which developers want to convert for residential use.

The barn at the Barton is part of a working farm which ceased operation more than 15 years ago. The decision to hold a site meeting before deciding the application was taken at a meeting of West Devon Borough Council?s planning committee in Okehampton last week.

Villagers believe the barn could be used for craft, light industrial or tourism-related business, which they say would bring new employment to the village.

Cllr Dave Weeks echoed this view: ?This barn, if it was used for commercial use as a craft workshop or possibly as a museum, could be a tourist asset.?

The borough council received more than a dozen letters of objection from residents as well as an objection from the parish council, which has made an application to have the building listed.

Resident Mike Flanagan told the meeting that the planning officer acknowledged in his report that the village was ?one of the most attractive and interesting villages in the borough area?.

Mr Flanagan said: ?There are few barns of such quality and in such a good state of preservation in West Devon and it occupies a prominent position in the village, close to the Grade I listed church and the historic square.?

Mr Flanagan added that he was also concerned about loss of privacy and the impact upon the barn?s bat population.

Officers recommended the conversion be granted subject to a number of conditions but Cllr Mandy Govier?s motion that a site visit be held was adopted by committee members.