A world-class park to rival those in Paris and Barcelona is to be created on the site of the Jubilee Gardens on London's South Bank
The 拢6m park is part of the troubled redevelopment of the South Bank Centre arts complex. However, the SBC is no closer to agreeing the sites or development briefs for the three main buildings 鈥� two concert halls and a film theatre 鈥� proposed in Rick Mather's 拢70m masterplan for the area.

Last week, agreement was reached that the park would be developed and maintained by an independent trust, formed by the Jubilee Gardens Steering Group and made up of interest groups representing residents, local businesses and the arts complex.

Paul Lincoln, spokesperson for the proposed trust, said the next step would be to draw up a detailed brief with architectural watchdog CABE. After that the project "would almost certainly go to open design competition", he said.

A spokesperson for the SBC said about 60% of the funding for the park would come from the borough of Lambeth's single regeneration budget supplemented by a planning gain agreement with the adjacent London Eye, which is seeking permanent planning permission. The park is due to be completed by 2007 and is expected to be a venue for cultural events such as concerts.

It will almost certainly go to open design competition

Paul Lincoln, spokesperson, Jubilee Gardens Steering Group

The decision to create a park on Jubilee Gardens at ground level supersedes Mather's idea of putting the park on a sloping roof over the concert halls and film theatre.

The SBC has still to consider whether these auditoriums should be developed on the neighbouring Hungerford car park site or whether the 1960s Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Rooms next to Waterloo Bridge should be redeveloped. A third possible site near the Tate Modern is under consideration by the National Film Theatre.