David Rowe-Beddoe now chairs the project

Two Labour members refused to back the scheme - which will be the centrepiece of Cardiff's bid to be named European capital of culture in 2008 - claiming it was an elitist waste of public finance.

The millennium centre aims to provide a permanent home for a range of artistic bodies including Welsh National Opera.

If construction work starts on time, the premises could open its doors before the end of 2004.

Welsh opera star, who was opening in Don Giovanni in Covent Garden on Tuesday, welcomed the news.

"Think of Australia, think of New York, think of Milan. They have the pictures on the postcards."

"I will most definitely have a smile on my face when the great night comes along."

The centre was given a cautious go-ahead in April 2001 following months of discussion over spiralling costs.

Arts investment

The appointment of Welsh Development Agency chairman Sir David Rowe-Beddoe to head the project helped quell fears that its costs were out of control.

The Assembly investment comes on top of �31m promised by the Millennium Commission, �10m from the Arts Council for Wales and �6m from the Welsh Development Agency.

A total of �20 million is now needed from the private sector, �11 million of which has already been secured.

Speaking during the assembly debate, Welsh Culture Minister Jenny Randerson said: "This is a landmark project helping to define Wales both nationally and internationally.

"It is a premier venue to showcase to the world existing and emerging Welsh talent."

Ms Randerson said contracts for the project were expected to a signed next week with the diggers moving in by the end of February.

The innovative design is still on the drawing board

But the Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent, Peter Law, described the decision to spend �53m of public money on the Wales Millenium Centre as "obscene, to say the least".

Mr Law said the money would be better spent tackling deprivation in communities throughout Wales.

His figure included �10m from the Arts Council of Wales and �6m from the Welsh Development Agency and Wales Tourist Board in addition to the assembly's contribution of �37m.

However, the Conservative AM, Glyn Davies, argued that the case for the WMC was as strong from an economic development perspective as from an arts perspective.

He said it was a well researched and well developed project that would play a major part in completing the Cardiff Bay project.

The Conservative AM Jonathan Morgan tabled an amendment urging the assembly to acknowledge "the importance of also making substantial investment in the arts in other parts of Wales."

It follows claims by some organisations that the centre could threaten the viability of other theatres, venues and activities across the nation.

Landmark project

The assembly vote adopted Mr Morgan's amendment.

Architect Jonathan Adams has proposed a vision of slate and steel to provide a landmark building for Wales in materials reflecting the nation's heritage.

The General Director of the Welsh National Opera, Anthony Freud, has said the centre would benefit all of Wales, as well as the WNO itself.

"It will create a focal point for the country, and is crucial to the future of the company," said Mr Freud.

Culture Minister Jenny Randerson wants a landmark building

The Wales Millennium Centre was designed to be an all-embracing venue to replace the doomed opera house project.

That scheme collapsed in 1995 amid accusations of elitism and negative reaction to the design of internationally-acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid.

The Millennium Commission Board refused to fund the opera house project, claiming it was not economically viable.

But construction of its replacement has been dogged by delays.

Matters came to a head in October 2000 when developers Grosvenor Waterside put the 4.7-acre site back on the market.

However Cardiff County Council stepped in to buy the land and keep the project alive.