Plans to turn a former Ministry of Defence (MoD) building into a private school have been recommended for approval.
Richmond Council officers ruled proposals to expand Radnor House School by moving it to Kneller Hall, in Whitton, would “increase educational choice for parents” – including the addition of 44 places for children with special educational needs.
Pupils in years 7 to 13 at Radnor House School would move to Kneller Hall School under the plans from Dukes Education, which bought the 30-acre site from the MoD in 2021. Extra forms would be added to the school each year, with it expanding from an initial capacity of 520 pupils to eventually admit up to 1,000 students.
Kneller Hall is a Grade II listed mansion, built in the 1700s, which was home to the Royal Military School of Music for almost 170 years.
Modern buildings on the site would be demolished under the plans, while Kneller Hall and a former guard room and band practice hall would be converted into the new school. The plans include a new sports centre with a swimming pool, outdoor sports pitches, sports pavilion, music centre and forest school.
Local schools and groups would be allowed to use the outdoor sports facilities and forest school, mainly in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays. Radnor House School would become a junior school for up to 300 students.
The council’s Planning Committee will make a final decision on the proposals on May 21. A new report by officers said the plans would improve a “vacant underused site”, resulting in a “positive legacy for both Whitton and the wider borough”.
The report added: “The council welcomes the continued use of the site for education and the reuse of the existing Grade II listed Kneller Hall and curtilage listed former guard room and band practice hall. The proposed works to Kneller Hall, the guard house and the former band practice hall protect and enhance these important buildings and are supported, subject to further details by condition.
“Most modern buildings on the site will be demolished for redevelopment… the new buildings are being built to a height and scale which is appropriate for its context, and will not harm the wider setting of Kneller Hall or the area in general.”
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