Details of how the historic Kneller Hall will be transformed into a new private school for up to 1,000 pupils from across Richmond and beyond have been revealed.

The Grade II listed building, which was previously home to The Royal Military School of Music, will be renovated as part of a major redevelopment of the 30-acre site.

The philosophy of the team behind the ambitious scheme stress it will be different from the caricature of hot house private schools, putting 'happiness and well-being above ratings and numbers'.

The scheme includes restoring the listed building as well as constructing a three-storey teaching block plus a new sports hall, incorporating a swimming pool and sports pavilion.

The multi-million pound scheme will see the old Guardroom building converted into a stand-alone music centre, while the Band Stand will be renovated.

Significantly, the Band Practice Hall is to be converted into a theatre with seating for 275 and there will also be an outdoor performance amphitheatre.

The new owners, Dukes Education, who bought the site from the Ministry of Defence, plan to include a so-called Forest School with a shelter built in the grounds to host outdoor lessons.

Sport will be at the centre of the ambitious scheme, which is within a stone's throw of Twickenham stadium. There will be rugby and football pitches, along with an astroturf hockey pitch, tennis courts and a basketball court.

The scheme is designed to provide new accommodation for Radnor House school, which currently operates out of Pope's Villa on the riverside at Cross Deep, Twickenham.

Youngsters in year 7 through to the Sixth Form would begin to transfer to the new site from September 2023. In subsequent years, the intention is that pupil numbers would rise to 750 and, eventually, 1,000.

The Richmond area has a large number of children who are educated privately at primary school before switching to the state sector at secondary level. In future, it is likely that a significant number of these will move on to Kneller Hall, which could impact demand for state school places.

Dukes Education and Radnor House are currently running a community consultation exercise, which involves public events and a request for people to fill in online feedback forms.

The intention is that this will be completed by the beginning of June. As things stand, a formal planning application will be lodged this autumn in the hope of getting a decision before the end of this year. In theory, work on the site would begin next year.

Winning planning permission is far from being a foregone conclusion, however Duke's Education has highlighted a number of factors it hopes will win over neighbours and the Council.

These include a promise to allow local community groups and schools to use its sporting facilities at the weekends, in the evenings and during the summer. It is also suggesting the plan will create around 110 jobs.

There are hopes to create an ecological corridor along one boundary of the site, where a stream is currently hidden away by a culvert.

A local plan developed by Richmond Council recommended that some of the site should be set aside for affordable housing, however this is not included in the consultation proposal.

Founder and chairman of Dukes Education, Aatif Hassan, described the scheme as 'hugely exciting'.

He told Nub News that he envisages the majority of pupils to come from Richmond and Twickenham.

"Being a secondary we want that to continue with a substantial number of pupils walking or cycling to the school. Pupils will also come from neighbouring boroughs close by," he said.

"As a former solider and local, 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 to be a place of learning in the guise we hope."

Managing director of the organisation, Libby Nicholas, said: "The expansion of Radnor House into the new buildings at Kneller Hall cements the school's standing as a leader in education, and provides the opportunity to expand our provision of a world-class educational experience for all our pupils."

More details on the scheme and how to provide feedback form can be found here - https://www.radnor-twickenham.org/kneller-hall