PLANNERS need to take action to stop the skyline of the Waveney valley becoming dominated by wind turbines, says a conservation group.The chairman of the Suffolk Preservation Society (SPS) has written to Waveney District Council's planning department to express his concern about the growing number of applications for turbines - which supporters of the green technology say make a vital contribution in the battle against global warming and sea-level rise.

PLANNERS need to take action to stop the skyline of the Waveney valley becoming dominated by wind turbines, says a conservation group.

The chairman of the Suffolk Preservation Society (SPS) has written to Waveney District Council's planning department to express his concern about the growing number of applications for turbines - which supporters of the green technology say make a vital contribution in the battle against global warming and sea-level rise.

Society chairman Mike Coleman said: 'Waveney has suddenly become very popular for wind turbine applications and the society urges the council to view these together to get a true appreciation of the devastating impact of the various proposals.'

There is a turbine at Ness Point in Lowestoft, permission was recently granted for two turbines in Kessingland and there are proposals yet to be decided for 12 turbines in Barsham, near Beccles, and a further five in Upper Holton, near Halesworth.

Dr Coleman said: 'It is a fair bet that wherever you were to go in Waveney, if all applications were approved, you would stand a pretty good chance of seeing at least one turbine and, in many cases, more.

'This is a particularly flat area of the county and so the visibility of the turbines impacts over a large area. It will impact on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and other designated landscape areas, including the Blyth Valley.

'Most of the area close to the turbines currently has nothing higher than a modest church tower… to have the wind turbines in clear view will negate the years of good work which has enabled this area of the district to be free from most signs of modern life.'