Plans to redevelop Jeffrey Epstein’s private island into a luxury tourist resort appear to have been quietly pushed back.

Stephen Deckoff, a private-equity billionaire, bought two islands from the late paedophile’s estate two years ago for the purpose of building a “state-of-the-art” holiday destination by 2025.

However, the US Virgin Islands government said it had not received any planning applications for development and locals have been baffled by the lack of construction work since the announcement.

Satellite images show both islands, Little St James and its neighbour Great St James, have barely changed since Epstein died in prison in 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking.

Little St James, a tropical Caribbean beauty spot which Epstein referred to as “Little St Jeff’s”, became notorious as the site where the paedophile would traffic, imprison and abuse his underage victims.

Mr Deckoff, whose net worth is valued at almost $3bn by Forbes, announced he had acquired both islands in May 2023 through one of his firms, SD Investments.

A press release stated: “Mr Deckoff plans to develop a state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort that will help bolster tourism, create jobs, and spur economic development in the region, while respecting and preserving the important environment of the islands.”

It did not clarify which of Epstein’s islands would host the new tourist destination.