Millionaire’s illegal ‘mancave’ with bowling alley and cinema finally torn down
A ‘mancave’ built without permission that features a bowling alley, casino and cinema is finally being torn down.
Millionaire Graham Wildin, 70, defied court orders and built the 10,000sq/ft cave 10 years ago in Cinderford, Gloucestershire.
Since then he’s even faced a jail term for building the massive complex without planning permission.
Graham’s mancave is now being demolished by Forest of Dean District Council and will take eight weeks.
The council confirmed it will be looking to ‘recover the full cost… from the landowner in due course’.
Mr Wildin built the complex in November 2013 and this prompted somebody to submit a complaint to the council.
Council officers advised Mr Wildin that the building was not ‘permitted development’ and that it required planning permission but work was carried out anyway.
He was initially given until the end of April 2020 to remove the building following a High Court injunction.
But he failed to comply with this injunction and was handed a suspended sentence.
He lost an appeal against the sentence and was then ordered to demolish the property by March 10 2022.
But he failed to comply again and the judge sentenced him to six weeks in prison.
Enforcement action has now been taken because the recent deadline to comply expired in January 2023.
A spokesperson for Mr Wildin said he was ‘not interested in commenting’.
A Forest of Dean District Council spokesperson said: ‘As a council it is our duty to ensure that planning and development proposals comply with the law and bring benefit to the local area, whilst also safeguarding the community.
‘Hundreds of people every year follow the correct process for planning applications and development, sadly this has not been the case at this location.
‘It is important to note that the cost of this process should not be borne by the taxpayer, and we will look to recover the full cost of the demolition from the landowner in due course.
‘We will work closely with our demolition contractor, to limit any disruption for residents.
‘We would like to also take this opportunity to thank the people living in close proximity to this property for their patience during this lengthy legal process.’
People also complained about Mr Wildin clogging up the street with his classic cars.
Following an injunction, he was only allowed to park two cars on the road plus provision for two visitors who can only stay for a maximum of eight hours.
But there are fears from locals noise could continue even after demolition because Mr Wildin’s family plan to get approval for a holiday let next door.
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