Inside 'tarnished' Captain Tom village where locals 'embarrassed' by spa

30 January 2024 , 12:17

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Captain Tom raised millions for the NHS during the coronavirus outbreak (Image: Cpl Robert Weideman/MOD / SWNS)

Locals who live in the same village as the late Captain Sir Tom Moore say their community has become a "laughing stock" since the pensioner's family breached planning laws by building a spa.

Residents located in Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire said they were so "proud" after the veteran completed his mission of 100 laps around his garden. The popular figure raised a staggering £38m for NHS charities which put his picturesque village in the spotlight.

But those living close to his former home fear his legacy could become "tarnished" due to a spa building which was erected in his name, with the hopes of serving locals. The huge property is set to be demolished because the correct size was not illustrated in the plans, which is what Central Bedfordshire Council based its approval on in 2021.

According to one neighbour, the building is 49 per cent larger than the agreed drawings. The family have been given until February 7 to bulldoze the building after the council refused the permit for a bigger building.

The spa was meant to host sessions for elderly people (James Linsell-Clark / SWNS)

Villager Ian Knight said the planning law saga had "tarnished the legacy of the war veteran" as people call it a "prison block". He told The Independent : “A week ago, I was giving my address on the phone and the lady said, ‘Oh Marston, that’s where the captain came from isn’t it?’ And I was like, ‘Oh yeah’. She said, ‘Have they pulled that thing down yet?’ I was embarrassed."

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One pensioner said it was a "shame" that the illegal building is now the "main talking point" of their "lovely village." They added: “It [the building] was built without permission, it’s ugly, it’s featureless, it doesn’t sit well within the grounds of a listed building [The Old Rectory] and it doesn’t sit well with our housing or those around us.”

Locals said the building has 'devalued' their properties (James Linsell-Clark / SWNS)

Whilst a 67-year-old said it has "impacted so many people's lives". They accused the family of misleading locals. “We’ve got a terrible view and it’s devalued some of the properties around here. They [Captain Tom’s family] lied about what they wanted to do and then thought they could get away with it," they said.

Captain Tom's daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, previously spoke about the controversial plan and told Piers Morgan: “When we go to appeal, it's keep it or tear it all down, there isn't a middle… if we are allowed to keep it, we will talk about what we may be able to do…" She added: “We have to accept that we made a decision, and it was probably the wrong one.” Work has already begun to demolish the building. The Mirror has contacted The Captain Tom Moore Foundation for comment.

Monica Charsley