WHEN Norwegian singer songwriter Aurora was looking round for somewhere to film her debut music video she settled on Threshfield Quarry. The quarry may have a computer generated city as a backdrop for the purposes of the video, Running with the Wolves, but still it is instantly recognisable.

The dramatic man made cliffs, the piles of stone and quarry floor were the perfect setting for the moody Scandinavian artiste, who went on achieve national fame when she recorded the soundtrack for last year's John Lewis Christmas advert, the Man on the Moon.

Musicians aside, there are many exciting plans to develop the quarry as a visitor attraction and site for businesses. The massive limestone quarry - it covers 52 hectares (128 acres) - was mined for more than 100 years until it was closed in 2000.

It is now work in progress, with an increasing number of people discovering its magic and a massive amount of potential, not just as nature and historic trail, but as a unique business opportunity.

Proposals for the site fall into two distinct areas - the lower quarry, from the entrance, which is designated for employment use by the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and is the largest potential employment site in the national park.

Meanwhile, focus on the upper quarry, is on natural generation.

The Threshfield Quarry Development Trust has been set up to oversee the employment development, and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust will be managing the Upper Quarry in partnership with Tarmac and the Threshfield Quarry Development Trust.

As part of the proposals, it is hoped to install a piece of modern public art in the upper quarry by internationally famous artist, Andy Goldsworthy.

The artwork, which will aim to reflect the changing nature of the quarry as it is steadily reclaimed by vegetation, will cost £220,000 to design, build and install, and Craven District Council, which is working with the trust set up to oversee the quarry's development, has already pledged £22,000 towards it.

Roger Martlew, chairman of the Threshfield Quarry DevelopmentTrust, said as part of its closure agreement, Tarmac, which continues to work nearby Swinden Quarry, carried out landscaping work to reduce and seed unstable faces of the quarry.

"This has already started the process of turning blasted limestone into natural-looking rock outcrops. Along with a sanctuary for threatened native white-clawed crayfish, this work won a highly commended award in a national competition to encourage biodiversity in quarries."

In addition, the area has been opened up by a series of new footpaths which lead onto open access land outside the quarry and beyond, to the wider rights of way network across Upper Wharfedale.

"The Threshfield Quarry Development Trust was awarded a grant of £98,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to create a heritage trail around the limekilns area," says Mr Martlew.

"This was once a significant part of the quarry’s operations but had become overgrown and hidden by building rubble.

"Nearing completion, the trail has created over half-a-mile of surfaced footpaths, with gentle gradients to allow access for off-road motorised wheelchairs."

Information panels and a listening post are also being installed, so that visitors can appreciate the scale of the operations and the unique construction of the kilns.

A wooden viewing platform at the head of the quarry has also been constructed to give wonderful, far-reaching views.

The trust has received funding from the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to create a master plan for employment developments in the lower quarry.

"The vision is for a phased introduction of a mix of employment opportunities, beginning by creating an inspirational focus for local businesses," said Mr Martlew.

"Subsequent stages will support the local tourism industry through arts and heritage projects, encouraging visitors to stay longer in the area on day-visits and extending the season by providing all-weather facilities."

An advisory board with representatives of parish councils in the area and a residents' association will ensure the trust maintains close links with its community.

Last year, an open event in Grassington to display the masterplan for the quarry was attended by more than 150 people.

Comments made at the exhibition are now being taken into account.

Work is also under way with Craven District Council to look at ways of securing funding and making the proposals a reality.

Amelia Vyvyan, who is overseeing the public art project, says the sculpture would sit in the upper quarry, away from the entrance.

"Goldsworthy is renowned for his work which responds to the natural world. His proposal for Threshfield - the Stone Field is a dry stone wall enclosure surrounding the bare exposed bedrock which would be cleaned annually to keep that bedrock clear which would then contrast with the surroundings as the upper quarry naturally regenerates with grass, plants and trees," she said.

"It is indeed a legacy project. His proposal also includes some beautiful dry stone shelters for visitors to use when visiting the quarry and again these would be subtle, have meaning and sit quietly in the landscape."

To get involved in the quarry project, including donating money towards the Andy Goldsworthy sculpture, visit the Threshfield Quarry Facebook page.