'Britain's biggest mancave' with bowling alley and casino to be demolished in planning row
Millionaire Graham Wildin's 10,000sq/ft leisure complex, which has a bowling alley, casino and a cinema at the back of his home, was built without planning permission in 2014.
The UK's largest 'man cave' - which was built without planning permission - is set to be demolished by a council in Gloucestershire.
The Forest of Dean District Council has initiated the process of removing the 10,000sq/ft leisure complex - which includes a bowling alley, casino and cinema - from millionaire Graham Wildin's property in Meendhurst Road, Cinderford.
The extravagant structure was erected without the necessary permissions in 2014, leading to a protracted battle with the council.
As of May 31, the council has secured the site, often referred to as Britain's biggest man cave, and plans to dismantle it over the next eight weeks.
A spokesperson for the Forest of Dean District Council stated: "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."
They further noted that the cost of the demolition should not fall on taxpayers, and they will seek to recover the full cost from the landowner, reports Gloucestershire Live.
"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."
After gaining the green light to commence with the demolition, the site was securely blocked off on May 31, 2024, with the entire demolition process estimated to last between six and eight weeks. This follows an extensive lawful process where Wildin received numerous court orders instructing him to knock down the building, and he even served time in prison due to contempt of court.
A quick rewind to the early stages of this saga will reveal that it all started back in November 2013 when Wildin decided to set up a leisure centre in the garden of one of two neighbouring houses he owned on Meendhurst Road, triggering a complaint from a concerned public member to the Forest of Dean District Council.
Shortly after construction began, several council officers alerted Wildin that the proposed structure was not classified as 'permitted development', effectively needing planning permission.
Despite being fully aware of the risks which included hefty financial penalties, Wildin pressed ahead with his project. Things reached boiling point when, following numerous warnings, an injunction was secured against Wildin by the Council in November 2018, setting a deadline of April 25, 2020 for the demolition of the leisure facility.
In a court case initiated by the Forest of Dean District Council in June 2022, Wildin was found guilty of contempt for his failure to comply with the injunction. The judge handed him a six-week suspended sentence for 12 months, under the stipulation that the structure be permanently dismantled and decommissioned within 18 weeks.
Wildin subsequently challenged the decision. The appeal was thrown out, and he was given until March 10, 2022 to fulfil the order to complete the necessary work, or face jail time.
Wildin failed to adhere to the injunction and was handed a six-week prison sentence in August 2022. In March 2023, Wildin contested the prison sentence; this too was rejected.
The final deadline for Wildin to comply with the injunction passed in early January 2023. With Wildin failing to comply, the council has stated that officers have now moved on to the next phase of enforcement action, which commenced today, May 31, 2024.
A representative for Mr Wildin stated he had "no interest in commenting".
