Historic Twyford Abbey Set to Become New School
Ealing Council has granted permission fo derelict listed building to be redeveloped
The architects who will be turning the historic Twyford Abbey building off the North Circular into a new co-educational independent school have been revealed.
Close to Hanger Lane station and bound by the North Circular the Abbey is set in open parkland and woodland and has been derelict since 1988.
Following numerous planning refusals and changes of ownership, it was in a serious state of disrepair and was included on the Heritage at Risk Register by Historic England.
Despite its name, Twyford Abbey was never an abbey at all. However in the Middle Ages, there was a manor house with a small private chapel on the site.
Read more about Twyford Abbey from historian Matthew Lyons here.
In autumn 2016, architects Walters & Cohen won an invited competition organised by the Abbey’s new owners to design a secondary school on the site, and in May 2017, planning and listed building consent applications were submitted to Ealing Council. The Mayor gave Ealing permission to determine the case itself and recommended it for approval.
The plans are for a co-educational independent school of 1150 pupils from 11-18. It;s expected the first stage of redevelopment will be complete next year allowing an intake of 130 students with full capacity by 2015.
The Abbey will be refurbished for administrative and sixth form use, and i several new buildings will be built for teaching, sport and dining facilities. At more than 54,000 square metres, the grounds will provide opportunities for outdoor learning, making the most of the historic walled garden, green parkland spaces and delightful woodland.
(CGI impression)
Cindy Walters, director at Walters & Cohen, said: ‘The recent history of Twyford Abbey is dominated by failed planning applications going back almost 30 years, so we are really pleased to have achieved planning and listed building consent for this fascinating and sensitive site.
‘The project presents a rare opportunity to design a school from scratch – architecturally and pedagogically – which for Walters & Cohen is a culmination of all our experience and research in education. This is also an exciting chance to bring the historic Abbey and surroundings back into use and for us to work with a forward-thinking client.’
29th November 2019 ( updated)