THORNBURY'S historic former Westwing School is being turned into 12 new homes.

The boarding school operated from Kyneton House, a magnificent Grade 11 listed 17th century manor house, from 1960 until 2001 when it closed following a financial crisis.

The conversion scheme was attacked at the planning stage by local residents and Oldbury parish councillors who claimed it would add to traffic dangers in Mumbleys Lane and worsen existing drainage problems.

South Gloucestershire development chiefs eventually approved the plans because it would mean the rescue and restoration of a building the area could not afford to lose.

Kyneton House is a very significant building and it is more than time it was restored. It will be difficult while it lasts but it has to be done to save the building, the garden and the setting.

Developers Hampden have recently taken on the Grade 11 listed house and associated buildings and are currently bringing the old building back to life by converting it into twelve properties, all varying in size and type.

The properties are being sold in two phases, the first being arranged around a courtyard to the south of the manor house and consisting of seven houses - three in the original stables and manor house staff accommodation, two in the walled garden and the final two in the converted coach house.

The second phase is the conversion of the main manor house , a cottage originally home to the butler or chauffeur, three apartments in the main body of the house, with the final property being the exceptional Tower House with grand reception rooms and spectacular Victorian tower overlooking the surrounding countryside.

Nick Reed from selling agents Knight Frank said interest in the properties was already high. "Kyneton is set is one of the most idyllic locations in the Bristol area," he said. "Surrounded by farmland, it sits in the quiet, calm and unspoilt Berkeley Vale and although set in a rural location it is certainly not cut off."

He said nearly all the properties had interesting architectural features and the developers had paid enormous attention to detail, commissioning spectacular additions such as specially designed limestone fire surrounds, and in one of the courtyard houses, a set of church doors to enter the large living room.

The properties come onto the market this weekend and prices are expected to start from £250,000 up to an expected £1million or more for the Tower House.