Landmark would be feature outside Kelty

The controversial Citizen Spire is expected to be built at the former St Ninian's opencast coal mining site next to the M90 at Kelty.

Landowner Hargreaves have given the project their approval and a feasibility study is being prepared.

The structure, designed by award-winning Dunfermline artist Ian Moir, of Fire Station Creative, is to be made from rusty steel and inspired by the theme of citizenship.

The Press previously reported that the landmark could be around £10 million to build, but the designs of the pyramidal monument have changed, meaning it will cost "substantially less".

Ian explained: "The Spire is going to cost substantially less since we have now scaled back the overall plan.

"The structure will exist primarily for aesthetic and symbolic purposes. The feasibility study will establish the true costs of construction, so it would be wrong to speculate what those will amount to.

"That being said, my gut feeling is that the proposal is much more realisable now."

Ian and his team will now source funding for the project with a feasibility study being prepared.

He added that he was proud of the final designs, which pays tribute to West Fife's ancient and recent history.

He said: "The spire, unlike other national monuments, is not dedicated to a single individual but the entire populous. Through carefully considered symbolism, it's function, is to focus the mind, to make onlookers contemplate their opportunities as free citizens. It presents a giant copper eye on the South facade. On seeing this, one is urged to wake up, to be vigilant, to pay attention. One can only do this effectively if history is acknowledged, of course.

"We must see that we are all part of a long, long story with a relatively short time to play a part in it.

"On the north facade, a Viking longboat is depicted. This motif is borrowed from the ancient carvings in the caves at East Wemyss. The west facade will show a constellation of stars which signify the local villages as they appear on the map.

"The great geometric form emerges from a coal bing and points upwards to the heavens. At ground level, this is an obvious reference to the past, but the spire then literally comes to a point about citizenship - it is an opportunity.

"West Fife has a rich, fascinating history, both ancient and recent, which I have tried to honour in this design. "

The Press reported in February last year that the original blueprint for the landmark could rival the Angel of the North in terms of its stature.

An Edinburgh-based business owner has claimed his own project could do the same in a bid to revive the capital's neglected waterfront.

Eddie Tait is forming a taskforce of MSPs and councillors to support his vision of creating an Angel of the Forth equivalent of Antony Gormley's iconic design on the uninhabited Cramond Island.

Ian has welcomed the prospect of the idea, adding he would be interested to learn Mr Tait's views on Citizen Spire.

He said: "I’d be keen to hear what the other group think of our Citizen Spire project.

"I’m always open to discussion. Nothing bad can come from sharing ideas."