In a recent interview with Thailand Property Report, Tesco CEO, Sir Terry Leahy revealed that he is one of the major investors behind the new West Sands villa and condo development on Mai Khao Beach.

?I?ve been down to Phuket a number of times? I?ve never had a chance to spend holiday time there, but I?ve watched with interest the development of the island. The opportunity came up to purchase a prime piece of land on Mai Khao beach and to put together a very high-quality development,? he said in the interview, which was conducted at the British Embassy, Bangkok.

The supermarket boss was in Thailand for the official launch of the West Sands project, which ? because of its proximity to an environmentally-sensitive stretch of beach ? is focusing on promoting a green approach to development. Mai Khao is one of the island?s principal nesting grounds for the endangered leatherback turtle.

?Sustainability is increasingly important,? Mr Leahy explained. ?Knowing that your holiday home is adding to the environment rather than detracting from it is very important to people. Designing in features that mean a property has zero impact environmentally would be a major plus to a number of prospective buyers.?