The idea has drawn the attention of the international media since last February, when Sir Richard announced the acquisition of his second Virgin Island for $20 million.

The billionaire owner of the Virgin Group reportedly told journalists at his resort on nearby Necker Island that he plans to turn Mosquito into “the most eco-friendly island in the world.”

Since then, Sir Richard and his representatives have been tight-lipped about specifics, many of which are laid out in the master plan that is now available for public viewing at Town and Country Planning in Road Town.

The document, which includes sketches of beaches and adventure tourists alongside architectural drawings and maps, lists the basics of the project.

Phase one, which is scheduled for completion within five years, would include:

• the construction of a house and resort on the island’s Guana Hole headland;

• five three-bedroom “Balinese” style beach villas;

• a recreation complex on the flatland off the South Bay that would include a swimming pool and two tennis courts;

• a public beach café with a bar;

• a public nature trail at Manchioneel Bay;

• the renovation of existing facilities, including employee accommodations and service facilities, from the Drake’s Anchorage Resort, which has been derelict since 2001; and

• an organic garden and orchard at Lime Tree Bay.

Phase two, which is still tentative, according to Project Director Ryan West, calls for the addition of 15 villas that developers say would be “be discreetly set into the lower uplands.”

If Sir Richard decides to go ahead with the phase two, it probably would be completed within 15 years after the completion of phase one, Mr. West said, adding that spreading the project out over time would minimise environmental impact.

All told, both phases of the project would involve developing about five percent of the 124-acre island, according to a statement released by developers on Tuesday.

The master plan uses bullet points to list to several “green” initiatives that presumably would be included in the final development. According to one such list, the resort, among other plans, will:

• be “green as green can be”;

•  be carbon neutral;

• “reveal nature’s beauty;”

• include “eco-waste treatment.”

The master plan provides few details about these initiatives, but Mr. West said such specifics would come later.

“Once we get permission, we’d do the detailed drawings,” he said, adding that a media tour is planned before the Feb. 27 public hearing.

A required Environmental Impact Assessment is due to be submitted to Town and Country Planning sometime this week, Mr. West said. After that, developers will meet with government officials on Feb. 26 to address technical questions.

Then, the plan, the EIA, and any public input gathered will go before the Planning Authority, according to Chief Planner Louis Potter, who stressed that the authority can require revisions.

Mr. West said developers hope to receive a response within about a month after the public meeting.

See full story in the Feb. 7, 2008 issue of The BVI Beacon.