IT was described as "one of the most exciting public art projects Scotland has ever seen" and was set to transform an ugly hole in the ground next to the M90 at Kelty.

The multi-million pound restoration plans for the St Ninians opencast coal mine centred on turning the area into a major tourist attraction which would bring visitors and money into the village.

World renowned American architect Charles Jencks designed the Fife Earth Project and work started but it was left unfinished when Scottish Coal went bust in 2013.

Three years on and there's a shaft of light at the end of the tunnel with reports of "two serious inquiries" from potential investors.

Lochs councillor Alex Campbell said: "Anything that's for the betterment of the area, such as jobs or a new leisure and recreation use, has to be positive.

"They've spoken about several ideas for that area, an M&D park, camping and caravan sites, a hotel, factories, it's all been mentioned but there's never been anything concrete.

"They've seemingly been talking to investors but we'll have to see what happens. If there's any form of investment or employment I would be more than willing to support it subject to the correct infrastructure and everything being in place."

Hargreaves stepped in to finish the excavation of coal and restoration of the site but the land art was not completed as originally intended.

Cllr Campbell added: "Right now people use it for walking and cycling but there is some doubt about what will happen, given the land art was never completed after Scottish Coal went bust.

"I do have some safety concerns about the pond, I'm worried about kids getting in there, so it would be good for that issue to be sorted too."

Asked for an update, Fife Council's Ross Mackenzie, lead officer (investment), said: “The former St Ninian's mine is owned by Hargreaves Services and restoration is progressing well.

"The council has an ongoing dialogue with the company and we’re keen to maximise the economic development potential of the various sites they own in the Fife area.

"As and when Hargreaves develop a masterplan setting out their aspirations for the site, it will be subject to normal planning processes, and public consultation.”

No-one from Hargreaves was available to comment.

Speaking to the Press in 2014, Mr Jencks had said: “One can only hope the whole project will be revived. Never say never.”

He added: “The facts are that our project was inexpensive, saved the company much money in restoration, celebrated Scotland history and diaspora and would have been completed except that many coal companies went to the wall, including the one who asked me to do this restoration.”

Plans for the 665-acre park were announced in 2009 and included four different-shaped landscape mounds – one conical, one triangular, one rectangular and one horn-shaped – which represented the continents Scotland had influenced in history and the 40 million people of Scots descent overseas.

The site was to feature more than six miles of walkways, a large open water body with dramatic cliffs and a Scotland-shaped loch, creating a major tourist attraction and providing a boost to the future economy of Kelty and the surrounding area.