CIVIC chiefs at Winchester and the South Downs National Park has reached a deal over handling planning issues.

Since the national park was set up in 2011 it has outsourced its handling of planning matters in the Winchester part.

A new agreement has been reached for Winchester to carry on dealing with applications for another two years.

The fee will be around £445,000, depending on the work undertaken.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for housing and asset management, said the arrangement had been beneficial to the council with the payments allowing for the planning department to have more staff.