A FIRM of consultants headquartered in Basingstoke is masterminding the creation of a new island development off the coast of Bahrain.

Basing View-based Scott Wilson has won a masterplanning commission for the proposed Asdaf Islands project for Dala WLL.

The exciting project is to create a high-profile, mixed-use development with extensive water frontages and a series of linked islands, designed in the shape of a seahorse.

The 1,600-hectare islands will be situated about one kilometre off the north east coast of Bahrain and will feature a central business district, a wide range of residential accommodation, and commercial, retail and tourism development.

It is expected that the Asdaf Islands scheme will take eight to 10 years to complete, but construction could follow quickly on the heels of the Scott Wilson masterplan concept.

Peter Illes, a Scott Wilson director, said: "The project will essentially be like creating a new city. The development will be able to accommodate in excess of 60,000 people."

There are proposals on the drawing board for sheltered marinas and canals passing through the development for water-based transport. Island property will be built in phases to respond to market demand.

The Asdaf Islands will have luxury hotels, a possible export processing zone to service the nearby airport, and significant commercial development to create employment opportunities.

Mr Illes said: "There will be a programme of sequential building so that the complex schedule of construction, including land development, coastal protection and infrastructure, can be organised efficiently and effectively."

The new scheme follows on from the smaller, but successful, Amwaj Islands Project, which is situated to the south of the Asdaf project and is part of the overall rapid development happening in Bahrain.