'Man cave' demolition cost taxpayers £220k

A large building that did not have planning permission was pulled down after years of legal wrangling

The demolition of a building known as "Britain's biggest man cave" has cost taxpayers around £220,000, a council has said.

Forest of Dean District Council wants millionaire accountant Graham Wildin, who built the huge leisure complex in Cinderford without planning permission, to foot the bill.

The building, which housed a bowling alley, casino and cinema, had been the subject of a long legal battle in which Mr Wildin, 73, received multiple court orders to demolish the building and served time in prison for refusing to do so.

The council eventually pulled the building down last year. It said it has started proceedings to reclaim the costs from Mr Wildin, who has been approached for comment.

A council spokesperson confirmed the final cost of the demolition this week, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"These funds were drawn from council approved resources, and recovery proceedings are actively under way to reclaim the full cost from the landowner," the spokesperson said.

"This case highlights the critical importance of complying with planning regulations."

The building had housed a bowling alley, casino and cinema

The spokeperson said planning rules exist "to ensure development is carried out legally, safely, and in a way that protects our communities and shared environment".

They continued: "When individuals choose to ignore these rules, they not only act unlawfully but place an unfair burden on the wider public.

"The council takes such breaches extremely seriously and will continue to act decisively to uphold the planning system and protect the interests of our residents."