An offer of £90,000 for a strip of land measuring just a tenth of an acre has been turned down by Oxford City Council -- because it thinks it can get more for it.

But the authority now runs the risk of being left red faced and settling for a lot less than the amount offered, after deciding to gamble on the binding decision of an independent arbiter -- who will value the land.

A private developer wants to buy the strip of land -- which is part of Manzil Way Gardens, off Cowley Road, and includes the public toilets -- so it can be used as part of a bigger development.

Earlier this year permission was given for a police office, public toilets and two-storey office block to be demolished to make way for a scheme that includes student accommod- ation.

The bigger scheme would include a seasonal cafe.

The land in question measures just 0.09 acres and is worth about £30,000. But the city council has been offered £90,000 plus the promise of having a new police office, public toilets and store room built.

City council Green Party member Craig Simmons, the chairman of the east area parliament which determined the original application, said: "This land can't be sold on its own -- it comes down to what that strip is worth. "The developer says £90,000 while the council says £125,000 -- and that leaves a gap of £35,000.

"The area committee said it was happy to go with £90,000."

He added: "I'm happy to go on record and predict the independent valuer will come up with a lower value and the council will be left red-faced. I think we had a very good deal.

"The council is trying to push this when the land is no good to anyone but the developer."

The strip of land is only seven metres at its widest.

The city council's decision-making executive was divided about what to do, but the committee eventually decided to go for an independent valuation after leader Alex Hollingsworth used his casting vote.

Littlemore councillor John Tanner, the council's executive member for performance and service quality, said: "In my area you could spend £35,000 ten times over.

"It is this type of money that blood is spilled over at area committees all the time.

"£90,000 is not acceptable -- I think they are taking us to the cleaners. This is not something we can go away with as if it were sweeties."

Council leader Alex Hollingsworth said: "This is not a ransom strip. A ransom strip is something that has value solely as an access -- this land has value in and of itself."