The family of Captain Tom demolish spa

The spa pool block at the residence of Captain Sir Tom Moore’s daughter is currently undergoing preparations for demolition, as evidenced by the erected scaffolding surrounding the structure.

A flatbed truck arrived at the property in Marston Moretaine, Beds, yesterday morning, entering the grounds through a gate located off a residential street at the rear of the plot. Scaffolders, donning orange hi-vis jackets, were observed maneuvering metal poles around the unauthorised building as work commenced.

Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband, Colin, recently lost an appeal against an order mandating the removal of the Captain Tom Foundation Building from their property. The decision came after a hearing in October, with Inspector Diane Fleming ruling in November that the spa block must be demolished within three months, by Feb 7. Central Bedfordshire Council announced its intention to "review the onsite position" the following day, on Feb 8.

Despite the opportunity to challenge the appeal decision in the High Court, the deadline passed without any claims being filed. Initially, planning permission had been granted for an L-shaped building within the family home's grounds. However, a subsequent retrospective application for a larger C-shaped building, including a spa pool, was refused by the planning authority in 2022. Subsequently, the council issued an enforcement notice in July 2023, mandating the demolition of the "unauthorised building."

Meanwhile, the Captain Tom Foundation is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission due to concerns regarding its management and independence from Sir Tom’s family.

Sir Tom famously raised £38.9 million for the NHS, including gift aid, by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday during the first national Covid-19 lockdown in April 2020. He was knighted by the late Queen during a unique open-air ceremony at Windsor Castle that summer. Sir Tom passed away in February 2021.