By Diana McFarland

News editor

Sales are off to a good start at Benn’s Grant, according to developer Branch Lawson.

So far, there have been contracts written for more than 20 houses and townhouses, he said, adding that the model home opened around the first of December.

It’s moving along well out there. We’re very pleased with the market response,” he said. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

The single family homes are priced from the $280,000s to $320,000 and up, while the townhouses average about $200,000, Lawson said, adding that its mostly workforce housing — shipyard workers, teachers and military.

There is not much available in that price range so Benn’s Grant offers a good opportunity, Lawson said.

Currently there are about five single-family houses under construction, while one pad of five townhouses is also under construction, Lawson said.

East West Communities plans to build a total of 79 single-family homes and 20 townhouses. Benn’s Grant is approved for 280 single-family homes, 240 apartments, 40 townhouses, two big box retailers, a hotel and additional retail and commercial space on 253 acres off Route 10 south of Smithfield.

Benn’s Grant touched off a good deal of controversy when it was proposed years ago, but the recession hit shortly after it was approved. As a result, the development has sat dormant for years as the economy recovered.  {/mprestriction}