Captain Tom Moore’s family’s luxury spa complex is finally being demolished, with builders seen arriving at the spot in Bedfordshire.
Workmen were today seen arriving at his home in Marston Moretaine – a property that has sparked a huge backlash.
The work comes after Captain Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband were given a six-week timeframe to try and save the “unauthorised” building following a court case in October.
According to documents, the judicial review deadline has now passed – and it appears the family did not launch an appeal during that period.
The Planning Inspectorate previously ruled the building would have to be come down in three months as it was built illegally at their £1.2million mansion.
Inspector Diane Fleming said the “scale and massing” of the building had “resulted in harm” to The Old Rectory – the Grade II listed family home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.
As well as tearing the spa down, the family will need to remove all building materials and restore the land to its “former condition”.
Hannah and her husband had initially received permission from Central Bedfordshire Council to build a small charity office for the Captain Tom Foundation.
More to follow…
The controversy began back in 2021 after plans for the seven-bedroom mansion to have a new L-shaped building built on it approved.
The couple used their own names within the planning – but used The Captain Tom Foundation’s name within its design and access and heritage statement.
The foundation was set up after the pensioner famously raised millions of pounds during the pandemic, earning him a knighthood and meeting with the Queen in 2020.
Within the statement, the couple said the building would be used “in connection with The Captain Tom Foundation and its charitable objectives”.
It was referred to as The Captain Tom Building and was set to have a poolhouse with changing rooms, toilets and showers.
But it soon emerged that the building was “wholly different to the application submitted”, charter surveyor James Paytner said, according to The Sun.
It was then rejected.
It appears now, then, that work will commence on the site alongside the local council’s recommendations.
