An untarnished tropical estate with planning permission for the construction of a luxury leisure resort is up for sale on the island of Tobago.

The 300-acre estate in the Caribbean lies beneath a high ridge of protected tropical rainforest and features extensive areas of flat land formerly used for cocoa planting. The cocoa plantation was abandoned roughly 30 years ago as much of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy shifted towards heavy industry. It is this flat area on the island’s north east coastline, including more than three miles of coastline, that is on the property market with a price tag of US$16m (€12.6m, £9.6m).

Trinidad and Tobago authorities have granted permission for the luxury resort on land which is currently owned by L’Anse Fourmi Beach & Rainforest Resorts. Property agent Debutesq Group has said that the owner is open to the idea of developing the area as part of a joint venture.

Debutesq detailed the permissions granted for the resort development in a statement, indicating that once completed, the resort could feature accommodation for more than 360 guests, restaurants, café bars, a spa, a fitness centre, tennis courts, pool facilities and a conference centre. Plans also suggest a small marina could be constructed, complete with a diving centre and fishing boats.

As part of a strategic plan for tourism development, the Tobago House of Assembly recently completed the final stage of a road network that connected the previously inaccessible beaches at the front of the estate.