Aerial images show scale of complex Captain Tom Moore's daughter must tear down

05 July 2023 , 09:20

747     0

New aerial phots show the size of the building (Image: PA)

Aerial photographs have shown the scale of the unauthorised complex built by Captain Sir Tom Moore ’s daughter, which she has been ordered to tear down.

Hannah Ingram-Moore, 52, and her husband Colin applied for permission to build a Captain Tom Foundation Building in the grounds of their home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire in 2021.

The L-shaped building was given the green light and was planned to be "in connection with The Captain Tom Foundation and its charitable objectives".

However a subsequent retrospective application in 2022, for a larger C-shaped building containing a spa pool, was refused by the planning authority. As a result it will now have to be knocked down.

The C-shaped building has been ordered to be taken down (PA)

Aerial photographs of the building show the size of the building which has been ordered to be taken down.

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

A spokesperson for Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "An enforcement notice requiring the demolition of the now-unauthorised building was issued and this is now subject to an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate."

Sir Tom raised £38.9 million for the , including Gift Aid, by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday at the height of the first national Covid-19 lockdown in April 2020.

Hannah with her father on his 100th birthday during an RAF flypast in April 2020 (Getty Images)

at Bedford Hospital, having raised huge money for health services.

The Captain Tom Foundation is to ensure that it cooperates fully with the ongoing Statutory Inquiry by the Charity Commission.

"As a result, The Captain Tom Foundation is not presently actively seeking any funding from donors.

Retrospective permission has been denied by the local council (PA)

"Accordingly, we have also taken the decision to close all payment channels whilst the Statutory Inquiry remains open.

"Once the findings of the Statutory Inquiry have been communicated, The Captain Tom Foundation will be in a better position to make a decision in relation to its future, but for now, our main priority is to assist the Charity Commission with its enquiry.

(PA)

"In the meantime, on behalf of the trustees of The Captain Tom Foundation, we wish to extend a warm thank you to all our supporters who have enabled us to help charities that were close to Captain Sir Tom’s heart."

In 2022, planners subsequently received a retrospective planning application for a "part retrospective erection of detached single-storey building (revised proposals)", which was refused, the spokesperson said.

The Captain Tom Foundation said previously in a statement: "At no time were The Captain Tom Foundation's independent trustees aware of planning permissions made by Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moore purporting to be in the foundation's name.

Greggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says report

Hannah Ingram-Moore in 2021 (PA)

Captain Sir Tom Moore earned millions for the NHS (The Royal British Legion)

"Had they been aware of any applications, the independent trustees would not have authorised them."

In August 2021, the couple said they "urgently" needed space for presentations and memorabilia.

One neighbour said of the development: "It feels like they thought that their goodwill gave them cover to do whatever they wanted."

Floor plans of the building earmarked for demolition

The family has been ordered to tear down the C-shaped building

The Captain Tom Foundation was set up by his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband Colin.

Last year, the Charity Commission opened a probe into the foundation, identifying concerns about management and independence from Sir Tom’s family.

The commission said it was concerned about a “failure to consider intellectual property and trademark issues” when the charity was set up.

Captain Sir Tom Moore with grandson Benji, daughter Hannah and granddaughter Georgia (PA)

The money raised by Captain Sir Tom was donated to a separate charity before the Foundation was formed and is not part of the investigation.

In July 2021, the regulator refused permission for the Foundation to employ Ingram-Moore as chief executive on a salary of £100,000 a year, saying it was not justifiable.

However, the following month it allowed her to be appointed for a wage of £85,000 for a maximum of nine months while they looked for a new CEO, who has since been recruited.

Antony Clements-Thrower