Co Kildare: from €695,000 A new development of houses in Straffan, Co Kildare, will appeal to families looking for more space and quality than can be bought for the same money closer to the city.

Joint agents Felicity Fox and Nolan & Brophy will be taking bookings at showhouses opening at The Beeches this weekend.

On offer are the first five dormer bungalows and one four-bedroom detached house, out of 28 units in the entire development.

Prices start at €695,000 for five three/four-bedroom dormer bungalows of 167sq m (1,799sq ft). One four-bedroom detached house of 174sq m (1,870sq ft) costs €800,000.

When finished, there will be a mix of four-bedroom semi and detached houses, three-bedroom dormer bungalows and large five-bedroom detached houses at The Beeches, which is on a site backing onto the K Club near the centre of the village.

Developer Castlekeel is offering a degree of layout flexibility at The Beeches, despite the fact that these houses are almost completed. Owners can opt for a big open-plan country kitchen or a separate kitchen and breakfastroom and a three or four-bedroom configuration.

The Beeches site is laid out as one landscaped avenue with a circular curve at one end and the houses have redbrick and render facades. Interiors are finished to a high standard, with Villeroy and Boch bathroom ware and central vacuuming systems.

Sittingroom fireplaces are French-look Portland cement and fitted for gas. Buyers have a choice of kitchen and wardrobe styles. Other standard features include decked patios, pebble driveways, granite sills, front railings and timber windows.

Gardens will be fully landscaped to the front, while fair-sized back gardens will be levelled and seeded.

Previous new homes projects by developer Castlekeel include Ashleigh Wood in Brannockstown and Chestnut Hill and Beechwood, both in Naas, Co Kildare.

Viewing starts on Saturday.