COUNCILLORS will today see for themselves where a controversial proposal to erect a six-metre high metal sculpture depicting seven fish may be erected.

Some have described the work of art designed for Redcar High Street as part of a £26m shopping development as being unpopular.

The sculpture, titled The Seven Plaice, would be located at the doorway of the new shopping centre Regent Walk built by Teesland Developments, which opens in the coming weeks.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council planning officers have recommended permission be granted to erect the burgundy-coloured sculpture designed by artist David Kemp. A report to the planning committee said: "New pieces of artwork can be controversial since individual opinions can be very different. However, the theme of the piece of artwork does reflect the fishing activities associated with Redcar."

But several councillors expressed concern at a planning committee meeting recently that members of the public had no say in what Teesland Developments chose, and argued that it was difficult to find anyone in the town who liked it. Another said plaice was not caught off the Redcar coast. Councillors will visit the site of the proposed feature at 2pm today.