De Niro's big gamble on island hideaway

The pristine Caribbean beach on which Diana, Princess of Wales, once played in the sand with infant princes William and Harry receives few visitors these days.

That could be about to change now that actor Robert de Niro has visited the island of Barbuda. De Niro, partnered by casino billionaire James Packer, is proposing to build a $250-million (R2.9-billion ) leisure resort on the now derelict property.

De Niro's ambitious plan to redevelop the hideaway will be voted on by the West Indies island's divided community at a public meeting to day.