A plan to build an international airport near Arklow have been welcomed by members of Wicklow County Council.

The proposals, backed by businessman Pascal Taggart, envisage the development on a site – as yet unspecified – of about 600 acres south of Arklow town.

At a briefing for members of the county council this week, it was claimed a proposed Roadstone port south of Arklow, the proposed outer orbital route around Dublin, the Dublin to Rosslare railway line, and the proximity of the M11, could make Arklow an international transport hub.

Councillors were told the development had potential to bring in five million passengers a year, among them tourists, business people and freight handlers.

A management consultant and spokesman for the proposed airport Anthony Martin said yesterday he believed the planning and building would cost in the region of €100 million and could take four years to complete.

He said the airport had potential to create 5,000 full-time jobs.