Coal mine art project takes shape

The former coal mine will be turned into a landscape art form

A full planning application has been lodged to turn a former opencast coal mine into a "landscape art form".

The design for the site at Crawick, near Sanquhar, has been drawn up by the internationally-acclaimed artist Charles Jencks.

A charitable trust has been set up to help finance the Dumfries and Galloway development.

An application for the plans has now been submitted by the Crawick Artland Trust to take the scheme forward.

It is hoped the proposal could attract a large number of visitors to the area.

The plan is also seen as central to assisting regeneration of the Upper Nithsdale district.

The arts scheme still has to be approved by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

However, it is hoped that work could start on the project as early as spring next year.