A £17,000 community art project in Littlemore has moved closer to completion after plans were submitted to Oxford City Council.

The wooden canopy which, if approved, will stand in Blewitt Court, opposite St Mary and St Nicholas Church, will create a covered area and will feature a series of murals showing aspects of Littlemore’s history.

The 3.5m tall artwork will open out from six stems at street level.

Each will have two faces, with a unique mural on each one, meaning 12 pieces of art will be displayed featuring periods in Littlemore’s history such as the First World War and the influence of agriculture in the area.

To fit in better with materials used in Littlemore, some minor changes have been made to the artwork.

Instead of being made completely from laminated wood it will be edged with oak timber, to give it a more natural appearance.

East Oxford artist Josh Rose, who is behind the design of the artwork, said he was looking forward to the project finally being given approval.

The 29-year-old former Peers School pupil said: “One of the criteria when it went through pre-planning was being sensitive to the surrounding area.

“We are referencing the oak gates opposite at the church.

“But it still has to be very contemporary and there will be oak seating as well.

“We have made samples that we had to put forward to pre-planning but nothing will be built until it gets approval.”

Mr Rose worked with pupils at The Oxford Academy last summer to come up with ideas for the project and incorporated their suggestions into the final plans for the sculpture.

He said: “The project has been extended by about four months but it is brilliant really.

“It is relating to the area, it makes it even more unique and we are just waiting now with our fingers crossed.”

The piece has been funded by Oxford City Council and will be made mostly from wood shipped in from Scandinavia.

A decision must be made on whether to approve the artwork by September 23.