PLANS for a 45-foot high wind turbine on an East Lancashire school field have been approved despite fears that it could damage local house prices.

Lancashire County Council yesterday approved plans for a turbine, which will now be built on the playing fields of Longridge High School, Preston Road, Longridge.

It will provide up to 35,000kw of electricity a year, the equivalent of 10 per cent of the school's energy use.

County Hall submitted the plans as part of the governments drive towards an increased use of green energy over the next 30 years.

But some nearby residents claim the turbine, which will be built next to an existing 20-metre high phone mast, will have a damaging effect on their quality of life.

Teacher Emma Anderton, who lives in Little Lane, 100 metres from the site said: "This is going to ruin the view for everyone.

Councillors voted to approve the plans after hearing from Simon Prideaux, a council planning officer.

He told the meeting that an environmental health survey carried out by Ribble Valley Council was satisfied that the noise produced by the turbine would not be a problem for residents.