PLANS to install a temporary one-stop shop for council services in Cowley, which could cost £200,000 for two years, have been given the go-ahead.

The aim is to provide all Oxford City Council services, including housing, benefits and council tax, under one roof, with further services introduced at a later date.

An office in Templars Square has been approved as a temporary location by the city council's executive board - but Cowley councillors have criticised the new centre as being in the wrong place and being poor value for money.

Bryan Keen, chairman of the council's Cowley area committee, said: "The specific services to be provided by the one-stop shop need to be clearly identified so an acceptable location can be agreed.

"We do not think the proposed temporary location would be suitable because this is a little shop in the corner, right out of the way of where any people walk. It is totally inappropriate."

Cowley Community Centre, in Barns Road, is undergoing an options appraisal which could see part of the site sold for housing. Cowley councillors are keen to await the outcome of the appraisal to see if the one-stop shop could be accommodated within the new development.

Mr Keen said: "Any decision should have been linked with the options appraisal for the Cowley Community Centre - this plan is not value for money, because it would cost up to £200,000 for a period of two years."

One of the reasons the one-stop shop, which could potentially serve thousands of people across the south and east of the city, is being put in place is because the Blackbird Leys housing office will soon close.

Mr Keen said an extension of planning permission should have been considered.

David Rundle, deputy leader of the council, who has championed the plan and believed it could be the template for similar one-stop shops elsewhere in the city, was confident it was not a waste of money.

He said: "We remain convinced that this is a good site for the first placing of the one-stop shop. What I think is important is that we have, as a council, said that we are going to be providing a one-stop shop in this financial year and we shall be keeping that promise."

He said waiting for the Cowley Community Centre options appraisal, which is due to be finished in April 2008, would have delayed the process by at least a year.