A high school that has come under fire for its "noisy" heat pumps is set to meet with council officials to try and resolve the issue.

The long-standing row in Reepham over the high school’s heat pumps has continued to heat up after it was told to switch them off last month by Broadland Council.

An email sent to this newspaper has shown that on March 4 the eco-friendly devices remained switched on.

North Norfolk News: People in Reepham who neighbour the school claim they are unable to open their windows or use their gardens without being disturbedPeople in Reepham who neighbour the school claim they are unable to open their windows or use their gardens without being disturbed (Image: Archant © 2007)

People living close by forwarded the message from Christopher Watts, a planning officer at Broadland, which said: “Thank you for your emails and informing me that the pumps are continuing to run, despite the council requesting that these are turned off.

“By way of an update, I can confirm that we have arranged to urgently meet with the school this week to discuss this matter further, including alternative means of heating as suggested previously, and implications if this is not expedited.”

Reepham High School installed the eco-friendly devices in 2022 without planning permission, much to the annoyance of those living nearby.

North Norfolk News: The long-standing row in Reepham over the High School’s heat pumps continues to heat up after the school were told to switch them off last month by Broadland CouncilThe long-standing row in Reepham over the High School’s heat pumps continues to heat up after the school were told to switch them off last month by Broadland Council (Image: Archant)

The devices were installed on land off Whitwell Road, just metres from the nearest neighbours who claim they are unable to open their windows or use their gardens without being disturbed.

A spokesman for the Synergy Multi Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: “Synergy Multi-Academy Trust is meeting with Broadland Council to discuss the matter in further detail this week.

“A number of mitigation measures have already been completed by the school and our main priority is always to safeguard the well-being of our students, in respect of ensuring they are warm, safe and dry. 

"We will seek to reach a pragmatic solution and we will endeavour to ensure we work in partnership with all parties concerned.”

The electrically-powered devices work by absorbing heat from the air.

They are said to be more efficient than gas boilers and can be powered by renewable resources.