Sir – I naturally have to respond to the letter regarding CPRE-Hertfordshire s position on the Benington wind turbines (WHT, December 3). CPRE recognises the threat of climate change, the need to reduce energy consumption and the contribution that all for

Sir - I naturally have to respond to the letter regarding CPRE-Hertfordshire's position on the Benington wind turbines (WHT, December 3).

CPRE recognises the threat of climate change, the need to reduce energy consumption and the contribution that all forms of renewable energy can make to counteract the effects of climate change. CPRE is constituted to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of the English countryside, in the case of our branch specifically Hertfordshire's countryside. We work through the planning system. Our comments on the many and various developments proposed across the county are based on potential damage to the beauty and tranquillity of the landscape and possible contraventions of planning rules designed to protect it.

Nowhere in any of our submissions are there any comments on "the profits to be made by landowners". Wind turbines are a form of renewable energy which can be damaging to the countryside. Most people, including those applying for permission, acknowledge this. It would therefore be odd if we did not object where this was threatened.

The fields, woods, hedgerows and valleys around the Benington site show no signs of having "already been seriously damaged by modern farming practices" and being in and on the edge of the Green Belt it is an inappropriate location for the very large turbines proposed.

There are always "bigger issues at stake". From many peoples' viewpoints there are bigger issues to support proposals for more runways at Luton and Stansted airports, a huge rail/road transport depot in the Green Belt south of St.Albans, a housing estate and bypass in the Green Belt east of Luton, and 10,000 (or more) additional houses in Welwyn Hatfield. The legitimate aim of CPRE is to see that, with all this pressure, the case for protection of our cherished countryside is not ignored. I would therefore urge those of your readers who agree with this aim to visit our website, www.cpreherts.org.uk and consider joining us.

Kevin Fitzgerald, director, CPRE - The Hertfordshire Society.