Gorey prices make sense of commuting

Prices in a new housing scheme selling from plans in Gorey, Co Wexford, could persuade first-time buyers to seriously contemplate the long commute.

Twenty-four houses are for sale in the first phase of Newborough, with a selection of two, three, four and five-bedroom configurations. There are three two-bedroom townhouses starting at £86,995, 13 three-bed terraced houses from £115,995, seven four-bedroom terraced houses from £119,995 and one five-bedroom semi priced at £149,995.

Ten houses in the first phase have been pre-sold - all to Dublin first-time buyers. The town of Gorey is a huge attraction, handy to the beaches at Courtown and Ballymoney and with a friendly community famous for its arts festivals. The Newborough development is close to the centre of town, but in a quiet area. Through traffic will all but disappear from Gorey when the bypass, due to commence work in 2002, is completed.

A total of 145 houses will be in the Gorey development when it is completed and the first of these should be ready for occupation by early next summer, according to selling agent Ross McParland. The builder is Hollioake, who was responsible for Rossberry and Tullyhall at Lucan and Millbrook at Johnstown, Co Meath. Peter White is the architect for the Newborough scheme.

Two-bedroom mid-terrace townhouses of 665 sq ft and costing from £86,995 have been the most popular target for early buyers. These will have the kitchen at the front of the house and a good-sized sitting/dining room spanning the entire width to the rear. Two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs complete the layout.

Prices for larger three-bedroom terraced houses of 1,213 sq ft start at £115,995. These are wider, with a conventional layout of a sitting room connected through double doors to a large kitchen/dining room.

The extra width allows for a utility room and a lavatory under the stairs. There are two double bedrooms and one single upstairs, the main room is en suite and there is also a family bathroom. Four-bedroom terraced houses, also 1,213 sq ft, cost from £119,995. The downstairs layout will be the same as the three-bedroom houses, but two smaller double and two single bedrooms will be squeezed in upstairs.

Five-bedroom semis of 1,516 sq ft - more spacious overall - are priced from £149,995. The sitting room will be to the front, with a large kitchen/dining room leading out to the garden. There will be two double and three single bedrooms upstairs.

Showhouses are due to open in January. In the meantime, the Newborough development is selling off plans at Ross McParland's Bray office. The journey from Gorey to Donnybrook takes just over an hour off-peak.