Work has started to transform a Grade II listed schoolhouse into homes.

Metis Homes has begun construction at its second site in Easebourne, in partnership with Cowdray Estate.

Known as Royal Green, the new development will see the complete renovation of the vacant old school house to create three Mews Cottages, as well as 17 new family homes.

Located on the northwest side of Easebourne Street, the 2.1ha (5.2 acres) development comprises the Grade II listed former village school and associated grounds. The development is situated in the Easebourne Conservation Area.

In total, the Royal Green development will create 20 new homes, six of which will be allocated as affordable housing.

The homes will consist of semi-detached and detached two, three and four-bedroom homes and two-bedroom mews cottages converted from the Grade II listed school building. The development is expected to take 18 months to complete.

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Adam O’Brien, managing director of Metis Homes, said: “We are delighted to have now started construction at our second site in Easebourne, which is being delivered in partnership with the prestigious Cowdray Estate. The redevelopment of the Easebourne School site – which has been vacant for several years - will embrace the core character of the village and cultural heritage of the site, revealing and safeguarding the significance of the former school and its listed buildings."

Metis said all of the homes will have energy-efficient features, including EV charging points and air source heat pumps. Parking is available for each property, including private driveways, parking courts, and space for street parking.

The scheme will include two new courtyards which will be in keeping with the farmstead style found elsewhere in the village. The material palette will include stone, detailing on openings, window patterning, and decorative brickwork.

Public open green space will also be created on the site, as well as wildlife corridors and new planting, the developer said.

The Cowdray Estate is famed for hosting the British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup.