A name has been agreed for Brighton's new central library.

The modern building in Jubilee Street, Brighton, will be called the Jubilee Library.

Although planning permission was granted in November for the multi-million pound scheme, it had been held up by legal and financial difficulties.

These were finally resolved at a private meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council's policy committee last night.

The library will be built under a private-finance initiative scheme.

Work will start shortly and the building should be ready by late 2004.

The temporary library at Vantage Point, near Preston Circus, will remain open until then.

Council leader Ken Bodfish said: "This is fantastic news for the people of Brighton and Hove.

"They have been waiting patiently for a library worthy of this city.

"We are delighted to announce it will be called the Jubilee Library in honour of The Queen.

"The library itself will be fully accessible to disabled people.

"The whole development is planned to be environmentally sustainable, using the latest green building technology on a brownfield site.

"The site has good links to public transport, pedestrian routes and cycle lanes. Car parking for disabled drivers is planned but otherwise parking is limited."

Besides the new library, there will be a public square, hotel, businesses, shops, homes (including low-cost housing), restaurants, bars and cafes, a theatre extension and a doctors' surgery.

Councillor Bodfish said: "Negotiations with our partner, Norwich Union, have been arduous and protracted but with the care taken by our officers, the outcome will be a landmark development on the Jubilee Street site.

"The library itself will be more than just books.

"Visitors will be able to use the latest technology, including access to the internet."

Councillors gave the go-ahead unanimously following an examination by bankers to ensure all the legal and financial arrangements were sound.

Private partners are expected to sign within a few days and work should start in mid-September.

Deputy leader Jackie Lythell, who chaired the library task group, said: "This will transform a long-derelict site in the city centre into a vibrant urban quarter that will draw people from all corners of the city."

The project has been backed by English Heritage, the Brighton Society, the Regency Society, Brighton Urban Design, North Laine traders, the North Laine Community Association and library users.