The planning application to convert historic Kneller Hall into a prestige 1,000 pupil private secondary school has been submitted.

The multimillion pound scheme will see the magnificent building, which is the former home to the Royal Military School of Music, preserved and enhanced.

Separately, the proposal includes a plan to build a new three-storey L-shaped teaching block.

There will also be –

* A new sports centre with an indoor swimming pool and 4 sports courts to the east of the new teaching block.

* A new sports pavilion on the eastern part of the site, to provide changing room and other facilities for the outside sports pitches.

* Single storey extension to the Band Practice Hall, to provide dressing rooms, WCs and a break out space.

* Replacement single storey extension to the rear wing of Kneller Hall, to provide a school library.

The Grade II building's musical heritage will be preserved with its bandstand renovated, while the old Guardroom will be converted into a music centre.

Importantly, the Band Practice Hall will be converted to a circa 275 person school hall with retractable seating, that will be used for plays, assemblies and as a drama rehearsal space.

The site was purchased by Dukes Education from the Ministry of Defence last year and it has ambitious plans to start accepting the first pupils from as early as September 2023.

The organisation has held a series of public consultation exercises with residents in a bid to win backing for swift approval for the scheme. Talks have also been held with local councillors and the MP Munira Wilson.

Dukes Education has made various pledges in order to win public backing. This includes permitting local sports teams and community groups to use its facilities at local authority rates during school holidays, weekends and evenings.

Assurances have also been provided that efforts will be made to limit extra traffic around school drop-off and pick-up. Environmental improvements have also been promised.

An original outline plan for the site created by Richmond Borough Council envisaged that at least part of the 30 acre site would be developed for affordable housing. This is not included in the school's proposals and it is not clear whether this will hold up approval for the scheme.

Kneller Hall 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 with an initial figure of 500. 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.

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."