An iron age settlement is one of the eight farms planned for the scheme

The Terra Nova project aims to build eight working farms dating back 6,000 years to the emergence of agriculture in Britain on a 100-acre site near Llanidloes.

A visitor and education centre would be part of the scheme which would be developed over the next 13 years and would create 120 jobs at the site as well as another 350 jobs for other local businesses.

On Tuesday, the county council agreed to pay up to �5,000 towards an independent market assessment of the scheme which should lead on to a full feasibility study.

We believe the Terra Nova project can bring visitors into the area to provide a boost to the economy. Frances Blockley, Terra Nova project

The �13m project is the brainchild of Frances and Kevin Blockley who run an archaeology company from their home at Old Chapel, near Llanidloes.

"We are both interested in archaeology and agriculture so this project is a combination of those interests," said Mrs Blockley.

International importance

"We believe the Terra Nova project can bring visitors into the area to provide a boost to the economy.

"The aim of the project is to create a centre of international importance that will inspire, educate and empower us to work towards a positive future for our communities."

The proposed farms include a hunter-gatherer camp dating back 10,000 years and a Neolithic settlement from 4,000 BC.

These would be the first two farms built if the project gets the go-ahead on one of two sites being considered at present.

The project could provide 350 jobs for the Llanidloes area

"We would like to get the feasibility study done this summer and hope to start the project next year," said Mrs Blockley.

The first stage would involve building the visitor centre, car park and two farms which Mrs Blockley hoped would be completed in the first two years of the 13-year plan.

"We want to access grants from Europe before that money runs out in 2006," added Mrs Blockley.

One of the most exciting reconstructions planned for the project's second phase is the rebuilding of a Roman villa.

"There isn't a rebuilt Roman villa in Britain, although Buster experimental farm in Sussex has begun one," said Mrs Blockley.

"We want to show the pure decadence that was introduced into Britain by its foreign invaders and we will have to build our own kilns on site to make the Roman brick and tile."

The farms Hunter gatherer camp - 8000BC Neolithic settlement - 4000BC Iron Age settlement - 500AD Roman Villa - 200AD Dark Age settlement - 500AD Medieval farm - 1200AD Tudor House and garden 1550AD Victorian Farm - 1850AD

Another dramatic reconstruction will be the building of the distinctive thatched circular buildings indicative of an iron age settlement from around 500 AD.

"We will build a large chieftain's house surrounded by smaller dwellings, granaries and a shrine to the gods," said Mrs Blockley.

The couple have run Cambrian Archaeological Projects since 1992.

Mr Blockley has been involved with schemes at Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, Roman settlements at Milan and Tuscany and more locally at Aberglasney Gardens and Sarn-y-Bryn-Caled near Welshpool.

The couple gave a presentation to Llanidloes-based groups including the town council and Chamber of Trade on Monday.

"Their ideas are being fully supported by the town council and we want to help the scheme in any way we can," said Cllr Angela Morgan.

"This project gets to the core of mid-Wales. Farming is a huge industry here and the Terra Nova scheme is representative of everything that's happened here."