Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband used the Captain Tom Foundation name on the first plans for the building. Described as being used partly ‘in connection with The Captain Tom Foundation and its charitable objectives’, the project was given the green light.

The couple then built a 50ft by 20ft pool house with changing rooms, toilets and showers.

A subsequent retrospective application in 2022, for a larger building containing a spa pool, was refused by the planning authority.

A spokesperson for Central Bedfordshire Council said it approved a planning application in August 2021 for the erection of a detached single storey building by the occupiers of the home of the Ingram-Moores and the Captain Tom Foundation.

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.

Central Bedfordshire Council said the demolition order was subject to an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

The Captain Tom Foundation charity is currently no longer taking donations or making payments due to an ongoing inquiry into its finances.

When the inquiry was started a year ago, the Charity Commission said “concerns have mounted” over the charity and independence from a business run by Capt Sir Tom’s family.