A Company planning to build Europe's largest windfarm in Lewis has also revealed proposals to build a major windfarm in Sutherland.

Construction and energy multinational AMEC will soon seek local authority approval for plans to build 300 wind turbines in the Western Isles.

The windfarm, capable of producing 600 megawatts of electricity, would be the largest in Europe. The firm is also building a windfarm at Edinbane, in Skye.

Yesterday, however, a spokesman for AMEC confirmed plans to build a third windfarm on land near Durness.

It is understood the development is within 27,000 acres of land and could have as many as 160 turbines.

However the company refused to confirm the number, saying it was too early to provide details.

"AMEC's wind energy business is in early discussions with Keoldale Sheep Stock Club and the Scottish Executive to look into the potential for a windfarm on land near Durness," said the spokesman.

"The discussions are at a very early stage with no environmental studies as yet underway.

"At present, no decisions have been made regarding the site by AMEC because development hinges on the results of initial feasibility studies."

The proposal assumes a subsea cable would be laid from the Lewis development to a landfall near Kylesku, taking the electricity from the island and connecting it to the National Grid network. The Durness windfarm would connect to the electricity network using the same cable.

Although in its early stages, the plan has caused a mixed reaction locally.

Martin Mackay, secretary of the Keoldale Sheep Stock Club, said: "This is at a very early stage and we will leave the comment to AMEC at the moment."

Shop owner Robbie Mackay said the development could damage the area's tourist trade.

"Tourism is all we have left here and a windfarm could affect that," he said. "I don't think it will happen though because it won't gain support from the people living next to it."

He added: "It would be different if it brought money into the community, but there will be someone else making a lot more money than us."

Iris Mackay, who runs a minibus company with her husband, said she supported the plan.

"We run the minibuses through the proposed area and I'm not opposed to windfarms at all. I like them and I think they are quite therapeutic.

"There are a lot of hills around us and open space so it won't cause problems in the way it looks."

The development could agitate environmental groups, with the proposed site lying close to a 5,000-hectare site of special scientific interest.

The National Grid extension line would also have to pass through two national scenic areas to connect to another grid line near Ullapool.

A spokesman for Scottish Natural Heritage said: "We need to have a formal approach from any developer before we can comment on specific projects.

"There are a number of environmental designations in the north-west Sutherland area which would have to be taken into account, but designations do not necessarily mean that a development cannot go ahead. We would welcome early consultation on any proposals."

The plan also lies close to land owned by the Ministry of Defence.

A spokesman said: "We look at each proposal on its own merits and we would not veto the idea because we are unhappy with one or two turbines."

The MoD would weigh up the security and safety implications of the farm with the need to meet Government renewable energy targets before deciding whether to approve the development, he said.

The AMEC spokesman said: "If AMEC believes that a positive balance of economic, social and environmental benefits can be achieved, we will proceed with the production of a full environmental statement.

"This will be produced in consultation with the local community, Highland Council and other key consultees."

The Environmental Impact Assessment would take a year to complete.