Anwar Harland-Khan and Riaz Khan began working in property development in 1997 when they bought and renovated a £129,000 flat in south Lambeth. The brothers have come a long way since. The latest project of their company MHK International is in the rather more exotic Ouirgane valley, west of Jbel Toubkal. This is the highest peak in Morocco’s Atlas mountains, about an hour’s drive from Marrakesh.

The company is the first to build holiday homes in these hills, fittingly for Anwar, 38, whose twin passions are property developing and mountain climbing. He reached the top of Jbel Toubkal earlier this year. Riaz, 41, is an orthopaedic surgeon in Perth, Australia.

Each of the 16 villas in MHK’s L’Amandier development has a roof terrace with a shaded canopy for dining, another for private sunbathing, plus a plunge pool. There will be on-site chefs and grocery deliveries from the best local markets. Should residents tire of all this, there are eight hotels within about 20 minutes. These range from the French colonial style La Roseraie, to the welcoming auberge-type La Bergerie, which serves home-cooked tagines, and Sir Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot with incredible views, grand suites and camp interiors.

The Khans have recruited drivers and guides from the local Berber communities. Anwar says: “Our approach is to talk to people to identify what they need. There was no formal refuse collection system in Ouirgane. We have taken expert advice and have got all the hotels in the surrounding area behind what will hopefully be a sustainable rubbish collection and recycling scheme.”

As well as improving the appearance of the development’s surroundings, it has created a good rapport with the local community. Last week BMCE (Banque Marocaine du Commerce Extérieur) confirmed that it would provide mortgages for L’Amandier buyers at fixed rates of about 6.5 per cent for 25 years. With prices starting at £280,000 for two bedrooms and £320,000 for three bedrooms, L’Amandier is a feasible investment for many families fond of Morocco who want to invest in a home for regular holidays.

The villas, which are nearing completion, will be finished according to buyer specification.

So far there have been two buyers, one from the UK and one from Casablanca. Anwar is pleased with the local investment: “Casablanca is the wealthy local market. Having buyers from the area is important to us as it ensures rentals year-round, not just in the cooler season when the Northern Europeans come.”

Savills International, 020-7016 3740, lamandier-maroc.com

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