Captain Tom's family not pursuing High Court appeal to keep spa

Capt Sir Tom Moore became famous for his fundraising efforts during the first coronavirus lockdown

A spa complex owned by the family of veteran fundraiser Capt Sir Tom Moore will be demolished after they chose not to pursue a High Court appeal.

The unauthorised building in the grounds of his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore's Bedfordshire home was ordered to be torn down by the local council.

The family had six weeks to apply for a judicial review but the Planning Inspectorate confirmed that no such application had been received.

The BBC has approached Ms Ingram-Moore.

They must now comply with the existing demolition order, meaning the spa must come down by 7 February.

Capt Sir Tom raised more than £38m for NHS Charities Together at the start of the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 by walking 100 laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.

After becoming a national figure and being knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, he died in February 2021 aged 100.

His family set up a charity named The Captain Tom Foundation, which is subject to an inquiry by the Charity Commission amid concerns his family may have profited from using his name.

The spa (the C-shaped building to the right of the pond) was constructed in the grounds of the home where Capt Sir Tom Moore had lived

Planning permission was first granted by Central Bedfordshire Council for a building on the grounds of The Old Rectory, the Grade II-listed family home, in August 2021.

Revised plans were submitted in February 2022, which included a spa pool, toilets and a kitchen "for private use".

These were, however, turned down by the council and Capt Sir Tom's family appealed against the decision.

During the hearing, representatives for the family said the spa pool would offer "rehabilitation sessions" and the building would enable the public to enjoy the celebrated fundraiser's work.

However, planning inspector Diane Fleming said the "scale and massing" of the complex "resulted in harm" to The Old Rectory.

Ms Ingram-Moore and her husband asked for 12 months to comply with the demolition notice, but this request was refused.

Central Bedfordshire Council confirmed that its enforcement notice took effect on the day the planning inspector's decision was issued.

A spokesperson added: "The council will review the onsite position on 8 February".

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