BILLIONAIRES' PLAYGROUND; Scots lord plans paradiseisland property sell-offinmulti-milliopound deal: EXCLUSIVE.

Byline: MARION SCOTT

A SCOTS aristocrat has unveiled one of the world's most luxurious property developments.

Lord Glenconner, who bought the exotic island of Mustique and was a lifelong friend of Princess Margaret, is selling land on St Lucia for five-star homes.

The lord - Colin Tennant, 82 - whose family seat lies in Peebles, in the Borders, is starting prices for a slice of paradise at pounds 4million for an apartment to more than pounds 8million for a seaside villa on Glenconner Beach.

St Lucia has been Glenconner's home for 10 months of the year for 20 years.

Now he is getting ready to market seven massive villas in the middle of the island's most sought-after location, beside the world famous Vals des Pitons volcanic peaks.

Glenconner, whose family have endured several tragedies and controversies, fell in love with St Lucia when he first rowed there in 1979 in a canoe.

He said: "It was a dramatic entrance and a case of love at first sight.

"Life is like a novel and I alone knew mine would end there. St Lucians are special."

He first bought the abandoned coconut estate of Jalousie for just pounds 200,000 and developed a mango farm.

Later, he sold land and developed businesses, such as the Bang restaurant and nearby hotels where he is still regularly seen welcoming visitors to the island.

One of Glenconner's favourite pets on St Lucia was an elephant called Boopa who he rescued from a Dublin Zoo.

After finally leaving Mustique in 1988, spending over pounds 100million on establishing it as a playground for stars such as Mick Jagger and David Bowie, Glenconner settled in St Lucia.

Inclusive Each sumptuous villa will have its own beachfront access and the promise that no further future development will impinge on their view.

But Glenconner is determined that his development will not exclude the locals.

He said: "I see it as being inclusive, not exclusive.

"This is a World Heritage Site and everyone should be allowed to come here.

"People will be able to pitch up at the jetty and sell goods in the marketplace.

"Glenconner Beach will offer an element of the Mustique-style resort, which has been widely copied, and some degree of accessibility.

"But it will seek to include local people in an acceptable way."

Glenconner gifted Princess Margaret a plot of land in Mustique as a wedding present in 1960 and hosted many outrageous parties there.

For her own villa, the princess chose a headland above Gellieaux Bay, where she had picnicked several years before.

St Lucia properties can be seen at www.glenconner. com.

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CAPTION(S):

Noble life: The lord, left, is selling land at Glenconner Beach, right, on St Lucia, far right Jumbo fun: Glenconner and daughters