UK’s ‘biggest man cave’ which was built illegally by its owner Graham Wildin is finally getting demolished – and his neighbours are relieved. After a decade-long planning dispute, the sprawling 10,000sqft leisure complex which came with a bowling alley, casino and cinema, is set for demolition within eight weeks after a local council secured the site.
The “eyesore” building was constructed by millionaire Graham Wildin behind his home in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, without planning permission back in 2014. Yesterday morning (June 4), construction teams were seen strategizing on how to manoeuvre diggers through the limited access routes as the removal of the unauthorised mansion commenced.
Graham then emerged, exiting the house to open the gates for a departing delivery van. When approached for comment and questioned about whether he believed the demolition was just, he declined to respond and quickly retreated back into his home
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At the front of the residence were an array of vehicles, including luxury models such as Rolls Royce, Mercedes, Porsche, Range Rover, and Bentley. An anonymous neighbour expressed her relief at the man cave’s demolition, citing its disturbance and unsightly presence.
“It’s about time,” she remarked. “We get a full view of it from here. Absolutely, I’m happy to see it go. I can hear his ball when he’s playing ten pin. He’s just something else that man. I think all the people down the bottom (of the road) are very happy.”
However, some neighbours refrained from commenting due to a “request” for silence. “As neighbours we have decided not to say anything” one stated, while another said: “We’ve all decided we don’t want to talk to the press.”
One resident mentioned that the council had encouraged their silence, and another seemed to refer to Mr Wildin when mentioning: “I’ve been told not to say anything at all. He came out this morning and had a word with the people who were there.”
Patrick Grindle, 60, a local delivery man, downplayed the situation, commenting: “I can’t see what the big hoo hah is about it. He shouldn’t have built it without the right planning permission. It’s all going to go in landfill now isn’t it? So what happens now is the environmental argument.”
Mr Grindle recalled an incident where his shed collapsed during its initial construction, which Mr Wildin promptly vowed to rebuild. “I never expected him to but he did, with concrete blocks – he did it properly”, he said.
The council has confirmed that the demolition of the controversial man cave began on Friday, with intentions to recoup the costs from the owner.
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.”
“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.”
Subsequent to gaining approval to proceed with the demolition, security measures were put in place at the site on 31 May 2024, with the demolition scheduled within the following six-to-eight weeks.
This comes after an extended legal battle where defendant Graham Wildin was issued multiple court injunctions to demolish the building and even did a stint in prison for contempt of court, according to Forest of Dean District Council.
The council stated that Mr Wildin began the construction of a leisure centre in November 2013, in the backyard of one of two neighbouring houses he owned on Meendhurst Road, only to face an objection lodged by a member of the community.
Shortly after beginning construction, several council officers informed Wildin that the proposed building was not deemed as ‘permitted development’ and required planning permission, reiterated a council statement.
The council obtained an injunction against Wildin in November 2018, following multiple warnings, and instructed him to demolish the leisure building by 25 April 2020.
Forest of Dean District Council took Wildin to court in June 2022, where he was adjudged guilty of contempt of court owing to his non-compliance with the injunction.
The judge handed down a sentence of six weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, on the condition that the building be permanently stripped and decommissioned within 18 weeks. Wildin subsequently appealed this decision.
However, his appeal was dismissed, and he was given until March 10, 2022, to comply with the Order to complete the required work or face prison. Despite this, he failed to comply with the injunction and was sentenced to six-weeks imprisonment in August 2022.
In March 2023, Wildin appealed the prison sentence, but this too was dismissed. The latest deadline for Wildin to comply with the injunction expired in early January 2023.