A €500 million data centre has been given the green light for County Wicklow.

The Echelon Data Centres facility will see 450 jobs created during the construction phase, and 90 full-time positions.

It will be located in the Avoca River Business Park in Arklow.

Planning permission was originally granted in February, but faced an appeal.

However, the appeal has now been dismissed - meaning the 484,000 sq ft centre can proceed.

COO of Echelon Data Centres, Graeme McWilliams, has welcomed a decision by An Bord Pleanála to approve the plans.

He said the decision "removes a significant uncertainty" for the company.

Mr McWilliams added: "Today’s ruling shows that Ireland is open for data centre business, and that the necessary decisions can be taken within a framework that allows developers a level of certainty."

Local TD Pat Casey called it "fantastic news" for the region.

The Fianna Fáil TD said: "The development of the iconic IFI site at Avoca River Park as one of Ireland's largest data centres is the beginning of a new high-tech era for South Wicklow.

“The people of Arklow and South Wicklow are 100% behind this project, as demonstrated by the thousands of signatures and online petitions that were gathered in support of the development."

Echelon says its working to find "100% green and renewable solutions" to provide sustainable power for all of its data centres.

It's hoped the new facility will begin operating in 2021.

Echelon is also building a centre in Clondalkin in Dublin.