(Seychelles News Agency) - Infrastructure works on Ile Soleil, the 123,000 square metres reclaimed island built by the Seychelles government at Anse Aux Pins, eastern district of the main island of Mahé, will be starting July 07.

The announcement was made by Barry Faure, the Chairman of the government-owned company responsible for the development of Ile Soleil, 2020 Development Company (Seychelles) Ltd, during a press conference this morning.

The infrastructure work will include the provisions of water, electricity, roads, pavements, drains, street lights, sewage, telecommunication ducts, bridges, added reclamation work, public parking and garden spaces.

Local company, United Concrete Products Seychelles (UCPS) have already signed a contract with 2020DC to carry out these major works on Ile Soleil while GIBB (Seychelles), will be supervising the works for and on behalf of 2020DC.

Faure says the Ile Soleil development project is “on target and that he remains confident that UCPS will be able to honour its contract and complete the infrastructure works by December 2015.”

“The financing for the infrastructure works is coming from the first inflows of funds paid by the buyers of the different plots on Ile Soleil,” Faure told SNA.

Ile Soleil development concept as shown during the Seychelles 2020 Expo on March 25 2011 (Mervyn Marie, Seychelles News Agency) Photo license: Attribution

52 plots consisting of simplex, duplex, condominium and commercial plots were up for sale on Ile Soleil.

Interested buyers of the four different types of plots had to make an initial payment of 20 percent of the total value of their property within 14 days.

“For the condominium and commercial plots the owners have 4 months to pay the full amount of the sale price while individuals who are buying simplex and duplex plots have one year to pay the full amounts,” Faure told SNA.

15 remaining plots consisting of 1 simplex plot, 4 duplex plots, 7 condominium plots and 3 commercial plots left unsold from the first round of tenders which closed on January 23, 2014 were offered to potential buyers  in a second round of sales which closed on June 13.

Applications for the 15 plots are still being considered.

Ambassador Faure explained that priority was given to Anse-Aux-Pins residents when it came to the sale of the simplex and duplex plots adding that they needed to look at the social and financial criteria.

This meant that favourable applicants were those who do not legally have any land registered under their names, had to be over 18, and who also have the financial means to purchase the land.

“Unfortunately when dealing with applicants who met the same criteria and were equally favourable, it was necessary to come to a decision by looking at which applicant was most in need, compared to the other,” noted Faure

So far none of the individuals who have already confirmed their interest to buy a plot of land have expressed the desire to back out.

Once infrastructure works are completed it will be up to the individual parcel owners of these plots to complete their projects within a period of 30 months.

Layout of the 52 plots which will be developed on the artificial island (2020 Development Seychelles Ltd) Photo license: Attribution

2020DC will give both public and private entities until mid-2018 to undertake their construction so that there is no noise pollution by the time residents start to move in. According to the 2020 DC website, the building costs are between SCR9,000 ($730) up to SCR12,000 ($980) per square metre.

2020DC remains committed to maintaining the highest level of quality development and will also promote sustainable development by encouraging energy saving technologies such as LED lighting and cost cutting measures such as the recycling of water from the sewage treatment to water plants and keeping the gardens green.

A cross way and two bridges are also expected to be built to access to the main land and the bridges will be designed to keep a good flow of water, preventing water stagnation.

Now that all is on track for infrastructure works to start which will be followed by individual property owners starting their own construction, 2020 DC is also planning to conclude in the near future the marketing and sales on a 98-year lease of the larger tourism parcel, for a tourism development such as a hotel.

This particular phase of the development of Ile Soleil will be open to both Seychellois and international investors.