Work on a development of 62 new houses in Kerry is now underway.

The Dolforgan View scheme, situated on the Western end of the village, was originally proposed in 2008, and includes a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes.

A total of 21 'affordable houses' were included as part of the original application by WYRO Developments Ltd, a joint venture between local companies Wynnstay Group PLC and SJR Group, but were subsequently removed from plans.

Nonetheless, County Councillor Kath Roberts-Jones, Independent councillor for Kerry, said the development would be welcomed by young buyers looking to get on the property ladder.

"There's huge interest in this development," she said.

"It's been a long time in the planning, but I think it's a mostly welcome development because of the two and three bedroom houses.

"These should be good for starter homes. There are young people in the village who I know are keen to move into their own homes and the two or three bedroom houses could provide them."

The scheme will also see road safety improvements carried out in the village, with a new zebra crossing as well as a 40mph 'buffer zone' proposed at either end of Kerry to help slow down traffic passing through to and from nearby Newtown.

"We have already received a lot of interest from potential house-buyers keen to buy off plan before we’ve even launched the development, so we suspect there will be high demand for the range of homes being constructed in the village," said Andrew Turner, a partner at Morris, Marshall and Poole/Nigel Lloyd, who are marketing the properties.

"Kerry is an idyllic village with a strong community and a range of services, from the village shop, two pubs, primary school and more. It’s ideally situated close to Newtown as well as Welshpool and into neighbouring Shropshire.

"This is an important development in North Powys, providing much needed new quality homes in the area."

The first phase of the development will include 22 properties, consisting of nine two-bedroom homes, and thirteen three-bedroom homes.

Two further phases will follow to complete the 62 home development.

Developers say the new 'energy-efficient' properties will include UPVC double glazing and will use locally sourced timber frames from Marton based firm Lowfield Timber Frames, part of the SJR Group.