Eight granite seats which will be installed in Oxford's Cornmarket Street will cost £10,000 each.
Earlier this month, Lord Mayor of Oxford Gill Sanders said the seats looked like tombstones.
At a council meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Jean Fooks asked the Labour group to justify the cost of the seats.
Colin Cook, executive member for planning, admitted that the seats were expensive, but said the £10,000 cost included the design, manufacture and supply of each unit.
"The rate is less expensive than a previous design," Mr Cook added.
The seats -- which will be made of black granite, stainless steel and timber -- will be installed south of Ship Street, once a £3.3m project to repave Cornmarket has been completed this summer.
Last year's plan to repave the street with granite slabs was abandoned when the paving started cracking.
Asphalt is now being used in the centre of the street, with York stone paving surrounds.
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