A FINAL decision on controversial windfarm plans near Knighton could take months to reach as planning officers painstakingly finalise conditions surrounding the multi-million pound application.

Herefordshire Council staff will update councillors regularly as discussions over how much money should go to the community surrounding the four-turbine development at Reeves Hill, and over noise levels, continue.

The council got the go ahead from Secretary of State Hazel Blears last month after she previously called the proposals in to decide whether or not they should be dealt with centrally instead.

Head of Planning Services Andrew Ashcroft told planning committee members talks over issues like access to the site would now continue with others involved, like Powys County Council and Shropshire County Council, as well as the applicant.

“All the secretary of state has done is say ‘I don’t want to call it in - it’s up to you to make a decision on this matter’,” he said.

Plans to build the 104 metre-high windmills attracted criticism when protestors including TV star John Challis turned up at an initial planning meeting held at Hereford’s Shire Hall in February.

Councillors at a meeting last Friday (April 3) also wanted to know what would happen if plans for an access road to the site that fell in Powys were refused by the local authority there but were told responsibility primarily lay with the applicant.