The site comprises a fine collection of Victorian brick built school buildings, and more recent additions, set in 25ha school grounds and parkland. This was originally constructed as the Royal Masonic School which was closed in 1977 and became the US International University which itself closed in 1993.

Under an original planning permission, Comer Homes had permission to develop the scheme into a high class residential site (Total 327 units). Further feasibility work, including the creation of a landscape and architectural masterplan proposed improvements in the site layout, various planning gains, a more comprehensive landscape masterplan and accommodated an increase in the number of further housing units. The development also proposes the provision of high quality fitness facilities and office space.

The landscape proposals included the reorganisation of site layout, circulation and organisation of site spaces within the existing school buildings. The original approved development plan (prepared by others) was reworked to improve the setting of the historic buildings, to reduce the intrusion of cars into the historic buildings, to make the site more pedestrian friendly, to give a logical and directional site circulation pattern, to create individual private courtyards in relation to the apartments and to create a landscape pattern that was sustainable into the future.

Arboricultural surveys of the existing tree stock found that many trees were past their best, many with a predicated usefulness for only the next 20 years. The original layout of parkland trees related to the requirements of the school, with many open spaces formed as the result of sporting requirements. This was not an historic environment worthy of restoration, but the buildings, trees and extensive open space are very important in its local context. The need to develop provided the opportunity to reconsider the parkland and to shape it appropriate to its new use and to create a sustainable long term landscape structure.