Changes to the Kneller Hall school project have been put forward which feature amendments to pedestrian and cycle access as well as the Whitton Dene entrance.

The proposals for the school largely remain unchanged since Dukes Education Trust's initial submission in 2022 to transform the former Kneller Hall Royal Military School of Music into a private institution.

More recently, amendments to the pedestrian and cyclist access of the site and the width of the entrance from Whitton Dene have been lodged.

In the planning application documents it states: "A comment from LBRuT on the submitted proposals questioned the appropriateness of the pedestrian access gate and route widths for both cyclists and pedestrians.

"In response, the proposals now feature separated pedestrian and cyclist access routes from the south onto Kneller Road up to the Kneller Hall building, with an access and route width of 3.5m to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians."

The original submitted pedestrian and cyclist access route (left) and the revised proposals (credit: Planning application).

The document continued: "While the proposed staff car park remains consistent with previous planning stage submissions, discussions with LBRuT and LBH have led to a wider entrance from Whitton Dene, enhancing visibility between exiting vehicles and pedestrians.

"Following comments from LBRuT and TfL, the proposed vehicle access onto Kneller Road has been reviewed and amended to ensure appropriate access that allows two-way traffic, provides a safe arrangement for pedestrians and cyclists, and does not materially impact the free flow of the local highway network."

The design and conservation officer for the project further addressed some objections to the original proposals for the Whitton Dene entrance gates.

One resident described the gates design as "rather crude," suggesting it did "not be sympathetic to the overall appearance of the curtilage listed boundary wall."

In response, the Design and Conservation Officer said it would "replicate the design of the gates of the main entrance to relate better to the historic nature of the site" and "remove the low wall to each side and have full height railings."

The orginal proposed Whitton Dene entrance gates (above) and the revised proposals (credit: Planning application).

Founder and Chairman of Dukes Education, Aatif Hassan, previously describing the scheme as "hugely exciting" in 2022.

He told Nub News that he envisages most pupils will come from Richmond and Twickenham, stating: "Being a secondary school, we want that to continue with many pupils walking or cycling to school.

"Pupils will also come from nearby boroughs."

He continued: "It's a site that I know well. It's been a place of learning, and therefore, from both a planning and structure perspective, it lends itself well to continue as a place of learning in the guise we hope."

The site will operate as a day school, initially accommodating approximately 510 pupils, expected to grow to a potential 1,000 pupils by its seventh year or later.

It will cater to students aged 11 to 18, from Year 7 through to Sixth Form.

The school will not offer boarding or residential accommodation. To read the full application click here.

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