Bridge Road resident Christine Maclean stands in front of the field where the turbines will be sited, at the farthest end.

A new wind turbine 15m high will be installed in a Norfolk village despite concerns from neighbouring residents about the impact of noise on their homes and horses walking nearby.

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South Norfolk Council’s planning committee approved Carol Taylor’s plan to erect the turbine on greenfield land behind her home in Bridge Road, Burston despite concerns from neighbour Christine Maclean the noise would scare the three horses she owns- brown pony Fenn, 22 and horses Kerry, 34 and Finny, 27.

She said British Horse Society regulations stipulated there should be a 200m distance between the horses and the wind turbine and said the natural reaction of a horse to perceived danger was to run away.

She added there had been occasions when her horses had been “spooked” by freight trains in the distance and cars heading off on a shoot.

“With the size of the mast, I think the impact on our section of Bridge Road would be considerable,” Mrs Maclean added.

Her neighbour Anne Hyde has also complained about the wind turbine, stating she would be able to hear the noise from her home.

However, a number of councillors said the “safe distance” legislation was based on turnpike acts from the 18th century which related to much larger windmills.

Stuart Shortman, the council’s solicitor, said he believed much of this legislation had since been repealed.

Tracey Taylor, the applicant’s daughter, spoke in support of the application at Wednesday’s planning meeting, saying her retired parents wanted to reduce their energy costs and help the environment and discovered wind energy firm Windcrop, which will be installing the turbine to provide 60pc of the energy for her home.

She added the Bridge Road area of the village was not quiet area as there was noise associated with nearby farms, particularly traffic.

“I just think that Burston has to move with the times and I think the turbine would not have an impact on the village and would not have an effect after a while,” she said.