Captain Sir Tom Moore: Digger tears down building at his family's home
A digger has torn down parts of an unauthorised building during a demolition at the home of the daughter of pandemic fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore after Central Bedfordshire Council said it resulted in harm to the family's grade II-listed Old Rectory home.
Monday 5 February 2024 17:07, UK
Parts of an unauthorised building have been torn down during a demolition at the home of Captain Sir Tom Moore's daughter.
Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband, Colin, had planning permission for an L-shaped building in the grounds of the family property in Bedfordshire in 2021.
But a larger, C-shaped structure - which housed a spa pool - was built instead, for which a retrospective application was rejected.
A crane had previously lifted the spa pool from the property on Friday after preparation for the demolition had started last week, and on Monday scaffolding was removed by workers.
A digger then ripped off wood and other debris from the building's roof and knocked down some of its brick walls.
The couple had lost an appeal against an order to remove what they call the Captain Tom Foundation Building in the grounds of their property after a hearing in October last year.
Inspector Diane Fleming ruled in November the spa block must be demolished by 7 February, with Central Bedfordshire Council adding it would "review the onsite position" on 8 February.
'Scale and massing resulted in harm'
The council issued an enforcement notice in July 2023 for the demolition of the "unauthorised building" and the Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal against this.
At a hearing in October, chartered surveyor James Paynter, representing the couple, said the spa pool had "the opportunity to offer rehabilitation sessions for elderly people in the area".
But Ms Fleming's written decision concluded the "scale and massing" of the building had resulted in harm to the grade II-listed Old Rectory, the family's home.
Foundation being investigated
The foundation is being investigated by the Charity Commission amid concerns about its management and independence from Sir Tom's family.
Scott Stemp, representing Ms Ingram-Moore and her husband, said at the appeal hearing the foundation "is to be closed down following an investigation by the Charity Commission".
Read more:
Why is there an inquiry into Captain Tom Foundation?
Captain Tom's family 'changed' and 'cut me out', publicist says
Captain Tom Foundation 'to close down'
Sir Tom, who died on 2 February 2021, walked 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday, at the height of the first national COVID lockdown in April 2020.
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The celebrated fundraiser was knighted by the late Queen during a unique open-air ceremony at Windsor Castle in the summer of 2020.