Captain Tom Moore's daughter seen for first time since order to demolish spa
Sir Captain Tom Moore's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore has been spotted for the first time since her family was told the luxury spa built in the grounds of their £1.2million home needs to be torn down.
Hannah Ingram-Moore, 53, and husband Colin were told they will have to demolish the facility for good after it was ruled that the outbuilding was erected illegally. The mum-of-two was seen in the grounds of her home talking on her phone and walking around.
The U-shaped block was built 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.
The planning permission was rejected earlier this year, but the demolition was put on hold while the family appealed. During the appeal process the family's lawyer set out their case for keeping the complex. It was heard the Foundation was to fold following controversy surrounding money raised from the late-veteran's rise to fame.
Hannah Ingram-Moore takes a call (dmg media Licensing)
Captain Sir Tom Moore (PA)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. And neighbour Jill Bozdogan, 70, whose home is overlooked by the spa, said: “The sooner they tear it down the better.
Homeowner who built house on driveway forced to tear it down in planning row
"It doesn’t blend in with the two original buildings. For me it was something you can see from all my back windows - upstairs and downstairs. Every time I go into the garden it makes me so cross. It does nothing for the surroundings here. My mum is 99 and lives with me. She liked to go and sit in the garden, but she rarely does now because of that building.”
Aerial view of the home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire (PA)Another Jean Harrison, 80, said: “It looks dreadful from here. It’s made of breezeblock. It is good that it has to come down.” In her written decision, the inspector said: “I accept that the appellant’s intentions are laudable; however, it has not been demonstrated in any detail how all of this would work in practice. In the absence of any substantiated information, I find the suggested public benefit would therefore not outweigh the great weight to be given to the harm to the heritage asset.”
During a hearing in October, chartered surveyor James Paynter, for the appellants, said the spa pool had “the opportunity to offer rehabilitation sessions for elderly people in the area”. The foundation is currently the subject of an investigation by the Charity Commission, amid concerns about its management and independence from Sir Tom's family.
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