CONTROVERSIAL plans to fill a Suffolk landscape with 100ft wind turbines would have a "devastating effect" on some of the most picturesque parts of the countryside, campaigners have warned.

CONTROVERSIAL plans to fill a Suffolk landscape with 100ft wind turbines would have a "devastating effect" on some of the most picturesque parts of the countryside, campaigners have warned.

An action group set up to fight proposals - which remain at an early stage - to erect a dozen massive turbines claim rural village communities could be turned into industrial landscapes if the plans ever see the light of day.

And members have gloomily predicted Suffolk could be flooded with similar proposals as council chiefs admitted they had held talks with developers over the possibility of building wind turbines in west Suffolk.

Chairman Paul Long, who lives in Stansfield, said: "These giant, moving, industrial structures proposed would be clearly visible from as far away as Sudbury, Lavenham and Newmarket as well as harming nearby local communities.

"Such huge turbines would entirely dominate the area and have a devastating effect on one of the most beautiful parts of west Suffolk with its rolling landscape, multitude of listed buildings and vulnerable village communities, changing it in nature from rural to industrial. These could be the first of many similar proposals in this area of Suffolk."

A spokesman for St Edmundsbury Borough Council admitted exploratory talks had been held with developers Enertrag UK for farmland in Rede, near Bury St Edmunds.

And Herbert Lindlahr , senior development manager of Your Energy, last night revealed to the EADT that they had looked at a second site in Chedburgh.

Mr Lindlahr said: "Although nothing has been put into planning, we are investigating the possibility of a site in Suffolk.

"It is a difficult balancing act weighing up the purpose of the turbines and the concerns of residents."

But Mr Long refuted any claims that the action group was against renewable energy saying: "It must be part of the way forward, not only for this country, but for the whole of the developed world.

"We believe strongly, however, that renewable energy must be sustainable - wind power is much more cost-effective off shore where wind levels are higher and more consistent."

A spokesman for St Edmundsbury Borough Council said: "We spoke with Enertrag UK about the possibility of turbines in Rede last year.

"But they have not even conducted a report to find out what would be required and what impact it might have on the environment. No planning application has been made and we advised them to talk to affected parish councils."