A millionaire who illegally built ‘Britain’s best man cave’ in his garden could be facing jail – after he ‘refused’ to tear it down following a High Court battle.
Wealthy accountant Graham Wildin, 68, installed a bowling alley, cinema, squash courts, private casino and bar in the plush extension in the sprawling to his home in Cinderford, Gloucestershire.
But it was later found that he had completed the construction project without the required planning permission in 2014.
Mr Wildin had always maintained that he did not need the permissions and that by digging 18 feet into the hillside he was taking advantage of a loophole which allows him to construct the building for use by his family.
But a High Court judge dismissed Mr Wildin’s claims and granted Forest of Dean District Council an injunction ordering Mr Wildin to demolish the sports and leisure building in 2018.
The court-enforced order gave him until the end of April 2020 to remove the 10,000sq/ft complex, which had been having a serious impact on his neighbours.
Wealthy accountant Graham Wildin, 68, installed a bowling alley, cinema, squash courts, private casino and bar in the plush extension in the sprawling to his home in Cinderford, Gloucestershire
It was later found that he had completed the construction project without the required planning permission in 2014. A High Court judge had granted Forest of Dean District Council an injunction ordering Mr Wildin to demolish the sports and leisure building in 2018
Mr Wildin had always maintained that he did not need the permissions and that by digging 18 feet into the hillside he was taking advantage of a loophole which allows him to construct the building for use by his family. Pictured: The home cinema
The deadline for Judge Milwyn Jarman QC’s ruling expired today, but according to local reports the controversial building is still standing.
Not abiding by the order now leaves Mr Wildin open to the possibility of prison.
It’s up to the Forest of Dean Council to tell the courts if they believe he has complied with the order.
The last official update was just before Christmas when the council solicitor read out a statement to a planning committee, saying that Mr Wildin had tried and failed to mount another appeal.
It said: ‘I know that many people have been waiting for news on the council’s enforcement action against the breach of planning control at Meendhurst Road, Cinderford.
‘To recap, we obtained an injunction last year that ordered Graham Wildin to remove the leisure building he had constructed there.
The deadline for Judge Milwyn Jarman QC’s ruling expired today, but local reports said the controversial building is still standing. Not abiding by the order now leaves Mr Wildin open to the possibility of prison. Pictured: The relaxation area and games room
The court-enforced order gave him until the end of April 2020 to remove the 10,000sq/ft complex, which had been having a serious impact on his neighbours. Pictured: The casino at Mr Wildin’s private leisure centre
It is now up to the Forest of Dean Council to tell the courts whether or not they believe he has complied with the order, which could result in his arrest
The last official update was just before Christmas when the council solicitor read out a statement to a planning committee, saying that Mr Wildin had tried and failed to mount another appeal. Pictured: Free weights and benches in the home gym
It was then that Mr Wildin told the court that an injunction would ruin him – stating that demolishing the man cave would cost him £720,000. Pictured: The indoor table tennis and badminton court
‘This requires completion of all works by April 2020, with completion of various interim steps before then. Failure to comply with the order is a contempt of court and may lead to imprisonment.
‘Mr Wildin appealed to the Court of Appeal in December last year, and last week, the court notified me that Lord Justice Irwin refused permission to appeal, deciding that there was no arguable basis for appeal.
‘We will now consider our next steps.’
Mr Wildin is also facing a £30,000 legal bill after the council was awarded costs.
The injunction was handed out at Cardiff High Court in September 2018 when the council asked the judge to back an enforcement notice issued in March 2014.
The injunction was handed out at Cardiff High Court in September 2018 when the council asked the judge to back an enforcement notice issued in March 2014
Although the judge accepted that there would be adverse impacts upon Mr Wildin, he granted the injunction – adding that his circumstances did not outweigh public interest. Pictured: The development under construction
Mr Wildin began building the luxury complex in 2013 and finished it the following year. It is thought that demolition could take months – with the council having to compile a timetable to complete the job
It was then that Mr Wildin told the court that an injunction would ruin him – stating that demolishing the man cave would cost him £720,000.
He claimed he thought he did not need planning permission to build the ‘man cave’, the hearing was told.
Although the judge accepted that there would be adverse impacts upon Mr Wildin, he granted the injunction – adding that his circumstances did not outweigh public interest.
Mr Wildin began building the luxury complex in 2013 and finished it the following year.
He claimed that by digging it 18ft into the hillside he was taking advantage of a loophole which allows him to construct the building for use by his family.
It is thought that demolition could take months – with the council having to compile a timetable to complete the job.