Hi,
I've been looking at this Development too and am waiting to hear on prices etc. However, I felt I had to reply on some of the incorrect assumptions made about timber frame construction. My parents built a timber frame house last year and before that, I probably had a negative view towards timber frame but that's because I knew nothing about it!
Derryman, you say 'what happens in the event of a fire? - scary'. Do you honestly think that if timber frame houses were a fire risk, they would be allowed to be built?! Timber frame houses meet all fire standards required under the current building regulations. Insurance and financial institutions do not differentiate between timber frame and masonry construction.
Corco2000 - Sound insulation is better in timber frame houses due to a) the fact that they can put triple the thickness of insulation in. Also, timber frame party walls provide better acoustic reduction than masonry walls. Plus, you will probably never have to turn on your central heating as in my parents new house, a candle is enough to heat up the place, the insulation is so good! Also, how can they look flimsy? They are not wooden houses - only the frame is wooden - there is brickwork around the exterior so they are hardly going to blow away. I don't think they's build them if they thought there'd be a repeat of the Wizard of Oz!
Also, timber frame houses often sell for more money. My parents house is 1600 square feet and the outer structure alone i.e. the brickwork shell with timber frame etc has been valued at €1.2 million. The apartments in Charlesland, Greystones, are timber frame and they are not being sold 'on the cheap'.!
Sorry - don't mean to be on the attack but just pointing out a few facts
