Captain Tom's family lose spa planning appeal after huge row over luxury complex

The family of veteran Captain Tom Moore have lost a planning application appeal against the demolition of a luxury pool complex in their garden.

Hannah Ingram-Moore and husband Colin have been told they will have to tear down the facility for good after it was ruled that the outbuilding was done illegally. The U-shaped block was erected on their land at the family home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, in 2021.

Originally meant as a hub for the Captain Tom Foundation which launched upon the veteran fundraiser's death earlier that year, Mrs Ingram-Moore later submitted retrospective planning permission after it was built with a pool, spa and changing facilities. But when this was rejected earlier this year, the family was served with a demolition order.

The family appealed the order and appeared before council chambers last month where their lawyer set out their case for keeping the complex. There it was heard that the Foundation was to fold following controversy surrounding money raised from the late-veteran's rise to fame, a chunk of which it has since emerged was pocketed by Mrs Ingram-Moore.

The C-shaped building, seen on the left, was originally meant to be L-shaped according to panning documents (PA)

Captain Tom Moore became a national treasure during the first Covid lockdown when he vowed to walk 100 laps of his garden, raising more than £38million for NHS charities. He later went on to release three books and was knighted by the late-Queen, but passed away in early 2021 of pneumonia and Covid.

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During last month's appeal hearing, it was heard how plans for the building in its current state would have never been approved. Neighbours described it as a "monstrosity" and an "eyesore", although these claims, according to the family's lawyer, were an exaggeration.

A document supporting the initial planning application for an L-shaped building said it was to be used partly "in connection with the Captain Tom Foundation and its charitable objectives". Around half a dozen neighbours attended the meeting, with one arguing that the building is "49% bigger than what was consented" and is close to his property, adding: "It's very brutal."

The family argued the spa could be used by the elderly as part of its charitable purpose to "tackle loneliness". Central Bedfordshire Council said in July that an enforcement notice requiring the demolition of the "now-unauthorised building" was issued and a subsequent appeal against the demolition notice was made to the Planning Inspectorate. At the hearing chartered surveyor James Paynter, for the Ingram-Moore family, said the scheme had "evolved" to include the spa pool and that it has "the opportunity to offer rehabilitation sessions for elderly people in the area".