The resignation of a top official at New York’s Ground Zero on Monday is likely to cause further delays to the landmark project, which has been plagued by setbacks.

Kevin Rampe was appointed president of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the agency created to plan and rebuild the site, nearly two years ago. He quit his job as supervisor of the $14bn (£7.3bn) project to work for Ace, a US insurance company.

Rampe’s exit has come at a time of uncertainty for the project. The 1776 ft high Freedom Tower, designed by Daniel Libeskind and David Childs, had to be sent back to the drawing board after security concerns were raised by the New York Police Department.

In an interview with The New York Times, Rampe denied that his decision to resign was influenced by the recent development.

His successor, who has yet to be named, will have to reassure interested parties that the cultural and memorial facilities will be delivered on schedule.