The Ministry of Defence is inviting buyers to put forward bids for 19th century listed building Kneller Hall.

The building near Twickenham Stadium is currently home to the Royal Military School of Music.

It is owned by the MoD which, in 2016, announced its intention to sell the hall as part of a wider programme to cut its estate.

The hall was then adopted by Richmond Council last year and a vision has been produced which the new owners will be expected to take into account.

Cllr Julia Neden-Watts is chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee on the council.

She said: "We have always been clear that Richmond Council would rather not see the Royal Military School of Music leave Kneller Hall. However, it is not in our gift to change the fact that they are leaving. Therefore, it is important to ensure that what happens next with the site results in a positive legacy for both Whitton and the wider borough.

"Kneller Hall has a unique place at the heart of the Whitton community.The Kneller Hall supplementary planning document sets out our aspirations forthe site, including newcommunity uses, homes and employmentandthe creation of apublic park for thepeople of Whitton to enjoy.

"We look forward to proposalsthat willenhance themature landscapeand offer a viable long-term usefor the Grade II listed Hall,reflecting its heritage significance andcultural legacy."

Catherine Davies of the MOD added: "Kneller Hall lends itself to a mix of fascinating development opportunities and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is pleased to be marketing this unique site in South West London. The sale is part of an ambitious 25-year plan to release surplus military property and modernise the retained estate.

"The publication of the Kneller Hall Supplementary Planning Guidance last year was down to strong collaboration between DIO and Richmond Council with support from the One Public Estate partnership. I'm delighted that we have agreed guidelines for acceptable future development to support the future use of this historic site and the opportunities this will bring to the Borough of Richmond."

History of the hall

The Kneller Hall building that we know today was created in the late 1840s on the site of the country residence of the Court painter, Sir Godfrey Kneller.

Kneller Hall itself is Grade II-listed with Historic England, as are the boundary walls, which means that they are afforded protection.

A large part of the site is designated as Metropolitan Open Land, giving it the same status as Green Belt land, which means that this part of the site should be protected from development.

In addition, the council has given legal protection to more than 300 trees on the site.