A 70-year-old millionaire has been forced to demolish his controversial ‘man cave’ after a decade-long legal battle.
Graham Wildin, of Cinderford, Gloucestershire built the 10,000 sq ft leisure complex, built without planning permission in 2014, included a bowling alley, cinema, and casino.
Forest of Dean District Council began tearing down the structure in June, following multiple court orders and Wildin’s brief imprisonment for contempt.
Recent drone footage reveals the site has been completely flattened, bringing an end to what has been dubbed ‘Britain’s biggest man cave’. The council has confirmed the demolition is now complete and intends to pursue Wildin for the full cost of the operation.
The Gloucestershire property where demolition has begun (file pic)
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The complex, which Wildin claimed was built for his children and grandchildren, boasted an impressive array of amenities. These included a 25ft-tall three-storey doll’s house, indoor tennis and badminton courts, and a large soft-play area.
Wildin had initially argued that the structure was a “permitted development” under planning rules. He even dug 18 feet into the hillside in an attempt to circumvent height restrictions.
However, council officers warned Wildin that the building was not permitted and required planning permission. The lavish ‘man cave’ quickly became a source of contention with neighbours, who complained about its size and appearance.
The legal battle over Wildin’s ‘man cave’ spanned several years. In 2018, the council obtained an injunction ordering its demolition by April 2020. Wildin’s non-compliance led to a suspended sentence in June 2021, which he unsuccessfully appealed.
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Forest of Dean District Council began tearing down the structure in June
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After further defiance, he was jailed for six weeks in August 2022 for contempt of court. Upon release, he was given 18 weeks to make the building unusable.
Wildin’s attempts to circumvent demolition included claiming he had sold the building to a Mexican buyer for £1. However, this argument was rejected by the High Court in March 2023. The most recent deadline for compliance expired in January 2023, ultimately leading to the council-led demolition.
Local residents have expressed relief at the demolition. One neighbour told WalesOnline: “It’s about time. We get a full view of it from here. Absolutely, I’m happy to see it go. I think all the people down the bottom (of the road) are very happy.”
Wildin declined to comment on the demolition, which marks the end of his lengthy battle to preserve the complex.
Forest of Dean council confirmed the demolition was now complete and it would be pursuing costs from Wildin.
A spokesman said: “The demolition of the building built without planning permission at Meendhurst Road in Cinderford has now been completed, and the demolition and removal team have now left the site.
“It is important to note that the cost of this process should not be borne by the taxpayer, and we are now working to recover the full cost of the demolition from the landowner.
“We would once again like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding during this process.”
