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.