Kneller Hall School

Since Dukes Education acquired the site in Summer 2021, DWD has been appointed to advise them on planning and to secure planning permission for their development proposals.

Kneller Hall is a 9.7 hectare site that was previously owned by the Ministry of Defence. It was used as a residential college by the Royal Military School of Music. Kneller Hall is Grade II listed and there are two associated curtilage listed buildings. Over half of the site is designated as Metropolitan Open Land and there are ecological constraints at the site.

Dukes Education’s proposals comprise of the retention and restoration of the existing Grade II listed Kneller Hall and curtilage buildings; partial demolition of Kneller Hall’s rear wing and a replacement single storey extension; circa 8,800 sqm of new build development comprising a 3 storey teaching block, sports pavilion and Sports Centre with indoor swimming pool. The proposed development will also introduce an all- weather sports pitch with associated floodlighting and extensive hard and soft landscaping works across the site.

DWD engaged in extensive pre-application discussions with the local planning authority, as well as undertaking two public consultation events, engaging with local schools and sports clubs and arranging two design review panels, ahead of the submission of the planning and listed building consent application. Close engagement has taken place with officers throughout the determination period, in particular on transport and highways matters, heritage impact and ecology.

Separate to the main application, DWD has secured listed building consent to facilitate works to the existing listed building ahead of delivery of the full scheme.