Newly-appointed Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom has been a vocal opponent of wind farms.

She has campaigned against “intrusive wind farms” in South Northamptonshire and earlier this year stated: “I am pleased these proposals have been refused as they were completely against the wishes of the majority of the local communities.”

In a separate post last year, she wrote: “I will continue to make the case that subsidy for industries, such as onshore wind, need to be cut to ensure value for the taxpayer and to encourage these industries to become genuinely competitive.”

Prime Minister David Cameron previously said the government would scrap support for onshore wind farms.

Ms Leadsom replaces Matt Hancock, who has been given a new role as Minister of State at the Cabinet Office and joins newly appointed Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth has been appointed as the Parliamentary under Secretary of State at DECC.