Set on a 28-acre site at Farrenshock on the Ballinacarrigy Road, just outside the town, this massive scheme will comprise 350 one-, two-, three and four-bed homes.

Work has already started on the C link Road, and developer Paul Kelly of Empire Homes is confident they will be ready to sell the first phase by autumn, with completions by Christmas this year.

"It's a very contemporary project, but at the same time it will have a community feel to it. We will have a range of homes to suit everyone from young singles buying their first home, to bigger families looking for a spacious four-bed house, " he says.

"There will be a creche on-site and a lot of landscaped areas throughout. The development is a short walk from the town centre, so will suit buyers who want to be near shops, schools and amenities.

Mullingar's population has grown to 30,000 in recent years, with so many young homehunters moving to the town, and the local Chamber of Commerce estimate this figure to rise to 37,000 by 2010.

The scheme will comprise a mix of one and two-bed apartments, along with a variety of two, three and four-bed houses.

Prices for the two-bed apartments will be around the 200,000 mark, while four-bed semis are expected to be from about 400,000.

The scheme is to launch in the autumn, and Sherry FitzGerald New Homes hasbeen appointed as selling agents.