An Bord Pleanala last week ruled in favour of the 250m Opera Centre to be constructed on an eight-acre site at Rutland Street subject to various conditions, including the retention and restructuring of a number of period Georgian buildings.

Last month, the Sunday Tribune revealed how developer Suneil Sharma had offered local architect and conservationist Cait Ni Cheallachain 250,000 in return for the withdrawal of her objection to the proposed development.

Sharma is chief executive of Regeneration Developments Ltd, the company behind the Opera Centre project.

The Belfast based businessman, who is a member of the Northern Ireland policing board and who last year was awarded an MBE, described the revelation as a "cynical leak".

"Everything was above board, " he stated. "We are perfectly content with what we did. It certainly wasn't a case of brown envelopes being passed around. We have conducted our business properly and with the highest degree of integrity and honesty. We don't have any qualms about how we conducted this."

Among the conditions imposed by the planning board are the conservation and repair of period buildings on Rutland Street, Patrick Street and Ellen Street.

Yesterday, Ni Cheallachain, who is also a member of the Irish Georgian Society, described herself as "delighted" at the outcome of the appeal and happy that the Opera Centre is to go ahead.

"I have always been positively disposed towards development. My appeal focused primarily on the conditions regarding architectural heritage that Limerick city council had put on their decision to grant permission for this development. I think the planning board's decision is a vindication of my position. The developers can put the money they offered me into restoration work on the buildings they're now obliged to retain."

The complex will include a shopping mall with 300,000sq ft of retail space on four floors.

Along with numerous retail units, the development will feature extensive pub and restaurant facilities and an iconic 'sky bridge' which will connect the centre to a nearby multi-storey car park.

The project also involves the restoration of the birthplace of internationally famous singing star Catherine Hayes who was born at 4 Patrick Street in 1818. The building will be converted into a museum celebrating the life of the diva and will be administered by the Limerick Civic Trust.