Millionaire owes £48k for demolition of 'man cave'

Forest of Dean District Council began demolishing the unauthorised "man cave" in May

A millionaire involved in a legal battle after constructing a building known as "Britain's biggest man cave" still owes £48,000 in fees.

Graham Wildin built the 10,000 sq ft leisure complex on Meendhurst Road in Cinderford in 2014, despite not having planning permission.

Forest of Dean District Council secured the site and began demolishing the structure in May. It has said it will recover the costs from Mr Wildin, though the full demolition figure has not been disclosed.

A spokesperson for Mr Wildin said he was not interested in commenting.

Mr Wildin received multiple court orders relating to the unauthorised construction.

He also served time in prison for refusing to remove the building, which housed a bowling alley, casino and cinema.

Graham Wildin built the man cave without planning permission

After a series of warnings, the council obtained an injunction against Mr Wildin in November 2018. He was given until 25 April 2020 to demolish the building.

In legal proceedings brought by the local authority in June 2021, Mr Wildin was found in contempt of court for non-compliance with the injunction.

In the course of the decade-long legal battle, the council was awarded about £78,000 in legal costs, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Of these, the local authority said it had only received about £30,000 so far.