Property firm Unex Ltd will fight to try and keep a controversial sculpture in Cambridge after the city council said it had not been authorised.
The 13-foot sculpture, named The Cambridge Don, stands outside Charter House at 62-68 Hills Road.
It is said to represent the late Prince Philip’s role as chancellor of the University of Cambridge.
On March 5, an enforcement notice was issued by Cambridge City Council for the “unauthorised erection” of the sculpture.
The notice states: “The unauthorised development, by reason of its scale, height and prominent location, has a harmful material impact on the visual amenity of the wider townscape and the New Town and Glisson Road Conservation Area.
“There are also no public benefits that would outweigh the moderate degree of less than substantial harm to the New Town and Glisson Road Conservation Area.
“The unauthorised development is therefore contrary to the Cambridge Local Plan 2018 policies.”
The council also said the sculpture did not fulfil the key requirements of delivering ‘successful and high-quality public art’.
The £150,000 figure was previously linked to artist Pablo Atchugarry, who has since disowned the piece.
Following its placement, a council public art officer said it was “possibly the poorest quality work that has ever been submitted to the council”.
An inquiry to consider the appeal is due to be held by the planning inspectorate, but a date for when this will take place has not yet been set.
