(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Part, the Minister may, if he is satisfied, having regard to the national or regional implications, that it is in the public interest to do so, give directions to a local planning authority—
(a) that any application or class of applications made in terms of subsection (1) of section twenty-six and specified in the direction shall be referred to him for determination instead of being dealt with by the local planning authority; (b) restricting or regulating the granting of any permit or preliminary planning permission in respect of any type of development specified in the direction.
(2) Where an application has been referred to the Minister in terms of paragraph (a) of subsection (1), section twenty-six shall thereafter apply, mutatis mutandis, in relation to the application and the powers of the Minister:
Provided that, if the granting of such an application would conflict with an operative master plan or local plan or an approved scheme, the local planning authority shall be consulted before any permit or preliminary planning permission is granted.
(3) Where any objections or representations have been received in connection withan application which is being considered by the Minister in terms of subsection (2), the Minister may refer them to an advisory board before determining the application.
(4) The decision of the Minister on an application referred to him in terms of subsection (1) shall be final.