The conversion of the Kneller Hall being changed into a huge private school has shocked many across South West London. Until recently, the Grade II listed mansion was home to the Royal Military School of Music, originally the first School of Military Music, as retitled in 1887 on Queen Victoria's Jubilee.
Following its purchase in 1711 by Sir Godfrey Kneller, court painter to King William III and Queen Mary II, Kneller Hall has been used by generations of military musicians, many of whom are now transferring to locations including Portsmouth.
While there has previously been discussion of the site being converted into new apartments to accomodate for our growing local population, Kneller Hall has since been purchased by Radnor Gardens, a private school situated in Cross Deep in Twickenham on the banks of the Thames, which will remain as the site for its younger pupils.
However, this scheme has proven to be a controversial matter. While Radnor House are excited by the multi-million pound renovation, locals are concerned about the social, environmental and economic impacts of this change. Given the presence of primary schools and recent construction of Turing House School, a secondary school also in Whitton, residents are distressed about the disruption to the quiet and peaceful village of Whitton. The local MP, Munira Wilson has stated that she is very 'dissapointed' to hear of this news third-hand, in addition to her expectations that the school 'engage heavily with the local community'.
Overall, despite the strong local opposition, the renovation is currently taking place, and the site is set to operate from September 2023.
