THE Secretary of State will have the final say on whether a controversial windfarm can be built near Presteigne after Herefordshire councillors received last-minute orders not to grant permission themselves.

The county’s planning committee was instead ‘minded to approve’ four turbines on Reeves Hill at an emotionally charged meeting last Thursday, despite the presence of more than 50 protesters.

Campaigners including actor John Challis stood outside Hereford’s Shire Hall beforehand and clapped and cheered inside as proposals for the 105-metre high windmills were debated.

The Only Fools and Horses star, who lives locally, joined the Stone-wall Hill and Reeves Hill group, which has rallied against the application since it was lodged.

He said he had nothing against wind farms but felt it was an energy source that had not been properly explored. “It’s everybody’s back yard we are talking about not just these people,” he said.

The final decision now lies in the hands of Communities and Local Government secretary Hazel Blears after a letter arrived last Wednesday exercising her powers under the Town and Country Planning Order.

Before discussions, councillors heard from residents’ group chairman Dr Stephen Hugh Jones and others, including site owner Sir Simon Gourlay.

Dr Hugh Jones said more than half of 1,000 objections letters came from within a 10-mile radius and claimed planning officers had made miscalculations regarding the site’s output. “We must concentrate on the facts, and must not destroy our landscape for an illusion,” he said.

But development director John Malone said a proposed community co-operative attached to the application could see £40,000 a year put back into the community while Sir Simon urged those present to think about the alternatives and said: “No-one wants nuclear power on their doorstep.”

Members went with recommendations to approve the application despite several raising concerns regarding the efficiency of the site.

Councillor Julie Wood-ward said that neighbouring authority Powys County Council had recommended refusal and queried how many homes out of the 5,144 quoted by developers would realistically be powered by the scheme.

But Councillor Chris Chappell moved for recommendation after saying alternative energy must be provided for future generations.