Exact date Captain Tom Moore’s family to find out if spa is to be demolished after ‘using charity name to build complex’
CAPTAIN Tom Moore’s family have been told when they will find out if a spa built in the charity’s name will be demolished.
Hannah Ingram-Moore, 52, and husband Colin built the 50ft by 20ft pool house equipped with changing rooms, toilets and showers.
The family had applied in their own names for planning, but used the foundation’s name in the design and access and heritage statement.
They were given permission to construct the L-shaped Captain Tom Foundation Building on the grounds of their Bedfordshire home back in 2021.
But The Sun revealed they instead built the unauthorised spa and pool complex in their garden, which they have since been ordered to tear down.
A subsequent 2022 retrospective application – which is sought after something has already been built – for a larger C-shape building containing a spa pool, was refused by the planning authority.
The couple – who defended the structure in planning documents – are now appealing the order and will make their case at a hearing scheduled for October 17.
The Ingram-Moore’s neighbours have previously described the new structure as an “eyesore”.
While Central Bedfordshire Council claims there is “harm caused to the setting of the listed building”.
It has also taken issue with “the significant difference between the two schemes that arises from the lack of sufficient public benefit that has been proposed in respect of the unauthorised building”.
Plans for the L-shaped building at the seven-bed mansion in Marston Moretaine were given the green light in 2021.
The family had told planners they wanted an office for The Captain Tom Foundation at their £1.2million home.
And the war veteran’s relatives have said the spa pool building is “no more overbearing” than the one previously approved.
Colin previously told The Sun: “The subject building is no more overbearing than the consented scheme.
“The view is virtually identical save for a pitch roof being added to the elevational treatment. The heights are the same. As such there cannot be an unacceptable overbearing impact.”
They added the council had “no grounds supporting the refusal of the retrospective application” and requested the inspectorate uphold their appeal.
The structure was referred to as The Captain Tom Building and described as “a new building for use by the occupiers”, Hannah and Colin.
Bedfordshire Council confirmed last month a notice of demolition had been issued, which is now subject to an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
Captain Tom lifted spirits during the first Covid lockdown by walking laps of his garden in the run-up to his 100th birthday.
The decorated veteran raised almost £39million for the NHS before his death from the disease in February 2021.
Shortly before his death, Captain Tom, accompanied by his family, travelled to Barbados.
Soon after he fell ill and was not seen in public again.