"Mr Hayes is out of touch with public opinion - his department's own research shows that two thirds of people back onshore wind power, with just 12 per cent opposing.

"As well as being popular, the Prime Minister says wind will be among our cheapest energy sources in the next few years, so if planned wind farms don't get built it will cost us more to generate our electricity in the future, leading to higher bills.

"The countryside simply isn't peppered with wind turbines and nor will it be - but the Government should make it easier for communities to benefit directly from owning their own renewable energy schemes.

"The new Jerusalem the Minister should focus on is one built out of thousands of small enterprises generating their own electricity, or playing a vital role in making or building clean British energy."
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Stuart