STROUD-BASED environmental developer Ecotricity said it will stop applying to build wind farms in England until the "political winds change".

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince has accused UK communities secretary Eric Pickles of blocking projects and repeatedly changing the rules for planning, environmental assessments and financial support.

Mr Vince, who owns 17 onshore wind farms across the UK, said his company will stop applying to build more in England to avoid wasting millions on projects that are ultimately rejected.

A spokesman for Ecotricity said: “Unless the political winds change we will not be pursuing any more new sites in England.”

Ecotricity intends to switch focus into trying to build wind farms in Scotland, where there is less political interference in planning applications.

The company is appealing against Mr Pickles’ decision to reject a plan for four turbines at Highbridge on the Somerset Levels. The company claims that Mr Pickles should have visited the site before making his decision.

Industry body RenewableUK said the total amount of new onshore wind capacity winning planning permission in England had fallen dramatically from 444MW in 2012/2013 to 155MW in 2013/2014.