A work of art which will feature an eagle on the site of a former iron works in Jericho has ruffled the feathers of city councillors.

The sculpture is being created at the former Lucy's Eagle Iron Works site off Walton Well Road, which is now occupied by houses and apartments built by Berkeley Homes.

Councillors on the city council's north area committee granted the housing development planning permission, but said they should have been consulted about the public work of art, which is due to be installed.

Instead, the developer was given permission to go ahead with the £20,000 sculpture by council officers using delegated powers.

Alan Armitage, Liberal Democrat city councillor for North ward, said: "We were surprised that we weren't asked to formally approve the sculpture.

"It will be about five metres high and is decorated with metal —including the eagle motif. It's fairly intricate.

"It's not exactly elegant — it hides a ventilation shaft — but it reflects the history of the heavy engineering which took place on the site. I think members of the public will probably welcome it."

Jean Fooks, also a member of the committee, which met on Thursday, said: "I think it is regrettable that this public work of art was given permission under delegated powers and councillors were not consulted."

Images of electric circuits will be used at the base of the sculpture, with the Lucy eagle images placed near the top.

The cost of the artwork has been funded by the developers. The sculpture is situated at the centre of a piazza off Walton Well Road.

Councillor Colin Cook, who is in charge of the council's planning portfolio, said: "Councillors on the north area committee are grandstanding over this one.

"If they had a problem with it, they should have raised the matter when they first saw the paperwork.

"It's too late to start complaining now."