A much-debated opencast coal mine in Fife could be sold off to the highest bidder.
UK Coal, which owns the Blair House site near Dunfermline, has confirmed that it is considering putting the mine up for sale.
Blair House has been targeted by eco-protesters, who set up an encampment at Black Wood near the village of Oakley.
They were protesting against UK Coal’s plans for the site, which included the extraction of more than 700,000 tonnes of coal.
About 30 of the protesters gathered at the wood and threatened to occupy the area for as long as possible, to highlight the impact of opencast mining.
They argued that the mine would affect people’s health and contribute to global warming as the coal was burned at nearby Longannet power station.
UK Coal went to Dunfermline Sheriff Court in late March and were granted legal powers to evict the protesters from the site.
The encampment was abandoned the day before the court hearing, but the Black Wood Solidarity Group claimed their protest had been successful.
The company had planned to mine up to 720,000 tonnes of coal over a period of two years, nine months on part of the 92-hectare site.
Fife Council had already granted the opencast development planning consent on condition that UK Coal restore the land.The company said, “We have reviewed our Blair House, Fife, site and, given its location and the nature of the coals in the site, coupled with our future plans and equipment availability, we are in the process of exploring the possible sale of this site.”
A spokesman told The Courier, “Preparatory work has started on site. There is obviously a lot of work to do before you can move machinary on to the site.”
However, he added, “We are looking to sell the Blair House site, because of its location and distance from the rest of our operations. The site is being marketed.”
Labour councillor and former miner Bobby Clelland, who represents the West Fife and Coastal Villages, said, “It’s news to me. I was out there the other day and there were lorries taking small trees and shrubs away to a biomass plant.”
Liberal Democrat Gerry McMullan, who represents the same area, said, “I wasn’t aware of it at all and I don’t know if Fife Council are aware of it either. That’s actually an interesting situation, because it lets you see how the markets fluctuate.
“They don’t think it is profitable, otherwise they would be charging ahead.”
Mr McMullan said it would mean neighbouring residents would not have to put up with mining operations on their doorstep, or the number of heavy lorry movements the mine would generate.