The headquarters of South Oxfordshire District Council could be sold off for housing if a new scheme to relocate the authority goes ahead.

Under the plans, due to be discussed by the council's cabinet, the council would move to new offices in the Crowmarsh or Wallingford area.

The move would be financed by selling its existing headquarters in Crowmarsh for housing.

Chief executive David Buckle, who has strongly criticised the efficiency of the present offices, is supporting the move.

In a report to the cabinet, he urged members to approve a planning application for housing on the site and to negotiate with landowners for a site for new offices.

Mr Buckle's report says the plan has two main advantages -- it would provide more energy efficient and cost effective offices for the authority and would help provide more housing in the area.

The council's consultants gave four options:

Refurbish the present HQ

Do nothing

Demolish and rebuild on the same site, or

Sell the site for housing and relocate.

They recommended selling and relocation as the best value for money.

In his report Mr Buckle said: "Such a move may prove controversial and great care will be needed in handling public relations.

"Council tax payers will need to be satisfied that a sound business case exists for relocation before any decisions are made."

The proposals are being put forward by the cabinet which consists of Liberal Democrats and Labour members.

But the biggest political group is the Conservative group.

The site at Crowmarsh is classed as a brownfield site, so redevelopment will have Government backing.