WINCHESTER City Council has raked in a six-figure sum for permitting solar farms in the district, Council heard.
The four schemes have seen some £212,000 in planning fees in 2012/13, said Cllr Victoria Weston, portfolio holder for built environment.
The farms are:
• Whitehill Lane, Alresford: £39,000;
• Belney Lane, Southwick estate, £109,000;
• Funtley Landfill, £40,000;
• Raglington Farm, Shedfield, £24,000.
The four sites have yet to be valued for non-domestic rates.
Lib Dem councillor Robert Hutchison said the council should be less passive and reactive and have a strategic and pro-active approach.
Senior Tory councillor Stephen Godfrey said industrialisation of the countryside was not a good idea, harming potential tourism income.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here