Outline planning permission has been given to a vast 188acre business park and a 24-hour motorway services centre adjacent to a stretch of the M1 motorway between Swords and Balbriggan. Phase 1 of the £24 million business park will comprise 2.5 million sq ft of office and warehouse space - making it the largest in the State.

The space is zoned for science and technology, industrial and distribution. A further 112 acres are available for later phases, subject to planning permission.

Full planning permission for the venture, which is being jointly developed by Treasury Holdings and Hakaton Ltd, is expected to be granted by Fingal County Council in March.

If all goes to plan it is envisaged that construction on the park will begin at the end of the summer, with a predicted completion date of 2005-6.

The architect, Scott Tallon Walker, also designed East Point Business Park.

The plan is to build 1.2 million sq ft of office space in five storeys and 1.3 million sq ft of distribution and industrial accommodation.

There will also be a 120-bed motel on site and a 280-bed three-star hotel. These are expected to thrive given the site's proximity to Dublin Airport.

The developers will retain the buildings for rent - expected to average at £14£15 per sq ft.

One of the agents involved, O'Farrell Cleere, estimates the completed project will have an investment value of £800,000, with an annual rent roll of £40 million, and will employ 10,000 people.

The motorway services centre will include a 50,000 sq ft food hall with up to 12 international franchises.

Interest has been expressed by McDonalds, Harry Ramsdens and Burger King.