Housing developments in mature areas of south Dublin are a scarce commodity, ensuring keen interest when early launches from plans are announced.

Prices start at £247,500 (€314,260) for Seacrest Properties' latest scheme at Finsbury Green, off Churchtown Road in Dublin 14. The first eight three and four-bedroom houses are selling off plans at Hooke & MacDonald's offices from today.

Seacrest has constructed a number of popular residential schemes in recent years, including Rathdown Square in Terenure, the WinterGarden on Pearse Street and Brighton Green in Rathgar.

Finsbury Green will consist of a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses. It is a compact development of 27 houses, well located at the Dundrum end of Churchtown Road, opposite Notre Dame Secondary School. A planned Luas stop is a few minutes walk from the site.

Specification at Finsbury Green will be commendably high, with fitted wardrobes in all bedrooms, recessed lighting in living and kitchen areas, security intercom and electronically controlled gates. Gas fires will also be standard.

Exteriors will be a mix of red brick and render, with pretty timber porches and tiny landscaped front gardens.

Two-bedroom townhouses of 730 sq ft cost from £247,500 (€314,260). The design is sensible, with a neat entrance lobby maximising the living area and gas fireplaces in all the units. A storage area fits under the stairwell.

Kitchen units will be Shaker-style and enough space will be provided for dining.

Both upstairs bedrooms will be doubles, with the bathroom sandwiched between the two.

Three-bedroom mid-terraced and end houses of 925 sq ft cost from £267,500 (€339,655) and from £277,500 (€352,352).

The internal layout will include a long hallway, with a kitchen/diningroom to the front and a sittingroom spanning the width of the house to the rear. A guest toilet will be located off the hall.

Upstairs, the main bedroom will have an en suite shower off.

The second bedroom will take a double bed and there will also be a single room, all with fitted wardrobes. A typical four-bedroom house from £355,000 (€450,757) will have 1,350 sq ft of accommodation.

The entrance halls will be wide and will have a guest toilet off.

The livingroom is designed at the front of the house, connecting with a good-sized diningroom. French doors open to the garden.

There will be access from the diningroom to the kitchen and fitted utility room.

Two of the four bedrooms will be doubles and two will be generous single rooms, all with wardrobes. The main room overlooking the front includes an ensuite shower.

A comprehensive landscaping plan includes a large open green at the centre of the development and enclosed back gardens.

There will be cobblelocked parking spaces in front of each house.

Completions are expected to begin next February and the entire development will be completed by May 2002.