UK's 'biggest man cave' torn down after locals blast 'eyesore'
It will take between six and eight weeks to bring down.
The UK's "biggest man cave" is finally being demolished, as work has begun to tear down the "eyesore" building.
On Friday, work commenced to demolish the private leisure complex that millionaire accountant Graham Wildin had built illegally behind his home in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
Wildin, 72, has served a prison sentence over his refusal to remove the massive “man cave” and now, after repeatedly flouting orders from local planners and the court, the Forest of Dean Council has begun demolition work.
In 2014, Wildin constructed a massive building at his home, housing a cinema, tenpin bowling alley, and casino, without obtaining planning permission.
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.”
The spokesperson said the site had been secured yesterday with demolition planned over the next six to eight weeks.
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"This follows a lengthy legal process where Defendant Graham Wildin received multiple court orders to demolish the building and served time in prison for contempt of court," said the spokesperson.
"The site’s history, in brief, is that Wildin first took steps to construct a leisure centre in the back garden of one of two adjacent houses he then owned at Meendhurst Road in November 2013, prompting a member of the public to submit a complaint to the Forest of Dean District Council.
"Shortly after the start of construction various Council officers advised Wildin that the proposed building was not ‘permitted development’ and required planning permission.
"Construction continued despite Wildin being informed of the risks, including financial penalties.”
Following a series of warnings, the council obtained an injunction against Wildin in November 2018, giving him until April 25, 2020, to demolish the leisure building.
In June 2022, during legal proceedings initiated by the Forest of Dean District Council, Wildin was found in contempt of court for failing to comply with the injunction.
The judge sentenced him to six weeks of imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, on the condition that the building be permanently stripped and decommissioned within 18 weeks.
Wildin subsequently appealed the decision, but the appeal was dismissed. He was then given until March 10, 2022, to comply with the Order to complete the required work to avoid prison.
The spokesperson added: "In March 2023 Wildin appealed the prison sentence. This was also dismissed. The latest deadline for Wildin to comply with the injunction expired in early January 2023.
"In the absence of compliance by Wildin officers have now progressed to the next stage of enforcement action, which has started on May 31.”
