Kneller Hall is set to host a public meeting about controversial plans to sell the Grade II-listed building in Whitton .

Twickenham MP Tania Mathias arranged the debate for Friday, March 18 after thousands of people signed petitions opposing the sale of the historic home of the Royal Military School of Music.

She will chair the meeting, due to start at 7.30pm, at which her office said Kneller Hall's commandant Barry Jenkins and two representatives from the Ministry of Defence would be among those present.

More than 5,000 people have now signed an online petition opposing the proposed sale of the military quarters for housing by the MoD, which says it is slimming down its estate to save money and free up land for much-needed new homes.

It is one of a number of petitions doing the rounds, which between them have garnered well over 8,000 signatures.

'United in opposition to turning this treasure into a housing estate'

The public meeting was announced as members of Richmond Council set aside their political differences to unite in cross-party opposition of the sale.

Councillors agreed at a full council meeting on Tuesday (March 1) to adopt all measures to ensure the withdrawal of what they called "this unwelcome and unpopular proposal".

The Royal Military School of Music have been based at Kneller Hall for more than 150 years

Richmond Council leader Lord Nicholas True said: "The council – regardless of political affiliation - stands united in its opposition to turning this treasure into a housing estate.

"Make no mistake – we will let any developer who is tempted to buy Kneller Hall know that we will not make it easy for them. We will resist bitterly any attempt to encroach on any green space."

'Short-sighted and insulting'

Opposition leader Gareth Roberts said the community had successfully fought previous plans to sell the building and would do so again.

"Where the defence minister and his army of bean counters see an asset to be disposed of, we see a unique institution, an intrinsic part of Whitton's identity and heritage and one which has a proud history of service both to the local community and to the nation as a whole," he said.

"To suggest that this could be cast aside in favour of saving a few bob is both short sighted and insulting.

"One resident described the transformation of Kneller Hall into flats as being similar to swapping Christmas pudding for French fries – I completely agree."

At a parliamentary debate last month secured by Dr Mathias , defence minister Mark Lancaster revealed 192 homes were proposed for the site but gave an assurance that Metropolitan Open Land and protected trees in the grounds would be protected.

He claimed it would cost at least £30m to make Kneller Hall fit for purpose - money he said would be better spent on front line services.