The site will re-open in 2006

An article in the Guardian newspaper quoted sources close to the project saying it will miss its 2006 deadline and instead open a year later.

But a spokesman for Meridian Delta Ltd (MDL) said: "There seems to be a suggestion that planning matters have gone wrong. In fact, the planning process has been extremely quick.

"We are on track to start work next year as planned, with the Dome ready to open in 2006."

The Guardian's article centred on MDL's Dome partner the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which plans to turn the Dome into a 20,000-seater sports and entertainment centre.

Any delay would add to the growing cost of maintaining the Greenwich complex.

Greenwich regeneration

Government figures earlier this year showed that the bill simply for keeping the Dome empty since July 2001 had risen to �22.9m.

The redevelopment is part of an overall regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula which would see top entertainment and sporting stars appearing at the Dome, as well as new offices, shops, a new school, a hotel and 24,000 new jobs.

The deal could result in a �550m return to the government over a 25-year period.

Organisers of the Dome had to make repeated calls on the National Lottery for funds during its year of public opening in 2000.

It had budgeted for 12 million visitors but only 6.5 million people passed through the doors.