A council row has erupted over “nuisance” peacocks roaming a Norfolk village.
The village of Mulbarton, located south of Norwich, has long had an abundance of the colourful birds.
But the future of peacocks in the town have been put into question after a resident raised a formal complaint over the noise of the animal.
South Norfolk Council confirmed it is looking into the matter, which could result in an abatement notice requiring owner, retired county court Recorder Alan Steynor, to take action.
One local said the animals were “really, really annoying”, were close to live to Mulbarton Hall, where the peacocks are kept.
The Mulbarton resident told The Mail: “They come into my garden and damage my greenhouse.
“I know a lot of people that live in this row of houses hate them.”
And Laura Sinclair, who lives in a nearby road, said the peacocks woke you up early, “especially in mating season”.
Rosemary Hanson said peacocks in the village sat on her fence garden (stock photo)
|
GETTY“They are a pain to be honest. The noise is quite a nuisance,” she added.
But some residents have come out in favour of the animals.
A staff member at the village school, which advises pupils to stay away from the birds, said: “We love them. They’re magnificent creatures.”
Rosemary Hanson admitted the birds had become “noisier and noisier” each year, but said she did not mind their presence.
ANIMALS – READ THE LATEST:
Mulbarton Hall, the home of the peacocks in the village
|
“I live on my own and I quite like it,” she said, adding that the peacocks frequently sat on her fence.
She even admitted to seeing one multi-coloured bird attempt to enter a bus, saying the bus driver was “terrified”.
Mr Steynor, who has owned the birds for 20 years, said he hoped residents of the town would remain open-minded.
“I’m sorry that people might be upset but I hope British tolerance will continue to apply,” he said.
Mulbarton has transformed as a village, with hundreds of new home built.
Some locals have said the noise complaint came from those who were not used to the sounds of the small-village living.
A council spokesman said: “The way we deal with this is we write to the people who we believe own the birds and ask them to manage the birds.
“We also write to the complainant and say if things haven’t improved, let us know.
“The birds have been in Mulbarton for years. It’s just one of those things about living in the countryside.”