23 January 2024 , 12:02
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Workmen have arrived to begin the demolition of a controversial luxury spa built at Captain Sir Tom Moore's family home.
The family came under fire when they built the spa at the £1.2m 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 the 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.
Planning 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. Neighbour Jill Bozdogan, 70, whose home is overlooked by the spa, said: “The sooner they tear it down the better.
Rubbish piled up outside the controversial spa (Spartacus / SplashNews.com)"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.”
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Captain Tom Moore, with (left to right) grandson Benji, daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and granddaughter Georgia (PA)Hannah Ingram-Moore told TalkTV's Piers Morgan that the spa complex was built with money made from the war veteran's book deal and not from money donated to the charity in his name. Captain Tom shot to fame when he raised £38million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday at the height of the first national Covid-19 lockdown in April 2020. He died in February 2021.
The rubbish is piling up (Spartacus / SplashNews.com)While speaking during the TV interview a photograph of inside the spa complex was shown on screen as the family claimed they did nothing wrong and did not take from the charity to build it.
The complex must be demolished by Wednesday, February 7 and images today show rubbish being piled up as the work begins.