Davidstow Creamery: Consultation Closed

On 16 January 2026 we invited you to submit feedback and questions on our draft decision document and the draft permit for the creamery at Davidstow. The new permit incorporates changes the operator wished to make, alongside our changes which place tighter controls on the discharge to the River Inny. The consultation closed on Friday 27 February, at midnight.

We received 14 responses to this consultation. Thank you for taking the time to submit your comments. We will consider all the responses you have provided to us through both consultations, before we make a decision. We will take the concerns you raised during the consultation into account when we communicate our final decision.

What happens when we make a decision?

If no new information comes to light through the consultation and there aren't any technical reasons to refuse the permit application, we are bound by the Regulator's Code to issue the permit. This is a government policy to ensure regulators do not obstruct economic development.

We are likely to issue this permit to Dairy Crest Limited, because we need to place tighter controls on their discharge to the River Inny and protect the river's ecology. We also want to make sure that we are supporting Saputo to grow their business, so long as it is not at the detriment of the environment or the local community.

If we decide to refuse the permit, Saputo will have the right to appeal our decision.

We will write to you again very soon to let you know our decision.