Councillors have raised questions about plans to develop historic Kneller Hall, which is set to be transformed into a private school for Richmond and Twickenham, and whether the scheme will include any homes.

A Council master plan for the building and site, which covers more than 29 acres, suggests that part of it should be used for badly needed new homes for the borough.

However, the new owner of the landmark Grade II listed property has not – thus far – indicated it is happy for any form of housing.

The organisation, Dukes Education, has suggested that the new Private school is likely to need the entire site, albeit with new playing fields and green spaces, which will have some community access.

Despite this issue, Richmond Borough Council has given a positive response to the development, which will create a new private secondary school with state-of-the-art facilities within the Grade II listed building, close to the Twickenham Rugby Stadium.

The site is set to become a new Upper School for Radnor House, a prestigious private school which currently operates on a prime site on the banks of the Thames in Cross Deep, Twickenham.

The team behind the purchase of historic Kneller Hall, which until recently was home to The Royal Military School of Music, say they are working 'at pace on plans to sensitively transform the hall and grounds into a school'.

They insist the 60,000 square foot property will be 'sensitively transformed' to include a wide variety of new facilities including, studios for art, textiles and design alongside music and performance areas, a new sports hall, an all-weather pitch and a multi-use games area, fully equipped science labs and cutting-edge design-technology-innovation suites.

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Dukes Education are also planning to create an ecological corridor along one boundary of the site, where a stream is currently hidden away by a culvert.

The chairman of the Council's Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee for Richmond Council, Cllr Julia Neden-Watts, said it is important that the future used of Kneller Hall is positive for the surrounding community.

"Kneller Hall has a unique place at the heart of the Whitton community," she said.

"The Council voiced its disappointment at the Royal Military School of Music leaving Kneller Hall, but with that beyond our control, we did what we could to ensure the site will have a positive impact on the local community in Whitton for years to come.

"We look forward to working with the new owner to achieve the vision we have developed in conjunction with the local community for this site. Having a viable long-term use for the Grade II listed Kneller Hall, that respects and reflects its heritage significance and cultural legacy, is a key part of the vision.

On housing, she said: "We will be seeking to clarify how the new owners intend to support the provision of new homes alongside employment and community uses, which is a key part of the adopted planning policy and vision for this site.

"For now, I am pleased that the new owner has stated their intentions to create a new ecological corridor as well as build links with local groups and share the site's outdoor spaces."