Portuguese company Pelicano, whose aim is to make residential developments more sustainable, are resposnible for the development. The company has incorporated a lot of greenery throughout the scheme and provided most of the facilities that would be available in any country village.

Villas at Palmela Village can be bought as standard or with a guaranteed 5% return for the first two years and the village's proximity to Lisbon centre, a popular all-round city destination, gives it strong rental potential. The area has a long holiday season, with average annual temperatures around 170 to 180 centigrade, rising to 300 during the hottest summer months. With Aer Lingus operating direct flights from Dublin to Lisbon, access has become easier to this part of Portugal.

Detached villas come in a variety of three, four and fivebed units. The homes are large and impressive, ranging in size from 190sq m to 250sq m (2,044sq ft to 2,690sq ft), and include private gardens and pools. Also available are a range of two and three-bed semi-detached villas ranging in size from 130sq m to 140sq m (1,399sq ft to 1,506sq ft).

Contemporary in style, villas have extensive glazing and include a high-spec finish, such as beech flooring, ceramic tiling in kitchens and bathrooms, fitted kitchens with Siemens appliances, fitted beech wardrobes, air conditioning and two covered car spaces.

The development is very much aimed at the golfing market, with the 18-hole golf course designed by Jorge Santana da Silva. Palmela Village has a range of on-site facilities including shops, sports facilities, playground, restaurants, a gym, a chemist and a doctor's surgery, and all residents will be able to avail of cleaning, gardening, childminding and shopping delivery services.

Homes at Palmela Village will be fully managed by Pelicano Hotels & Resorts, and buyers who opt for the guaranteed return are entitled to four weeks personal use. The first phase is finished and the next is due to be completed next year. Mortgages are available locally with a maximum loan to the value of 75%.

Price: Two-bed semi-detached villas from 240,500; three-beds from 329,000; four-bed detached villas from 425,000; and "ve-beds from 476,000 Agent: Hamilton Osborne King International Department 01-6181300