The Courland Estate, located between the settlements of Black Rock and Plymouth in Tobago, dates back to the Seventeenth Century when it was settled by Europeans and formed a productive sugar estate. However, the decline of sugar production led to much of the site becoming disused.  The land ownership was acquired by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA)  so that this key site could be developed for the benefit of the local population rather than being subject to ad hoc international development catering primarily for the international sun seeker which has dominated much of southern Tobago.

Working in partnership with a team of local professionals and through dialogue with key stakeholders and the local community, Lichfield Planning prepared a Structure Plan for the development of 350 acre site. The principal aim of our brief was to prepare a spatial and implementation strategy for the mixed-use development of the site for the use and enjoyment of the people of Tobago.

Our recommendations, accepted in principle by the THA, are for a mixed development including provision for local housing, tourist facilities, community amenities, the reintroduction of agriculture for part of the site and an emphasis on conserving significant areas of open and afforested land. These proposals received a very favourable reaction from local stakeholders following public consultation in 2007.  Lichfield Planning is currently awaiting the THA’s and Housing Development Corporation’s final comments before completing the structure plan for the area.