Millionaire ordered to demolish ‘Britain’s best man cave’ or go to jail

The millionaire accountant could face jail if he defies the Court of Appeal ruling (Picture: Graham Wildin SWNS)

A millionaire who built what has been dubbed ‘Britain’s best man cave’ illegally in his garden has been ordered to tear it down – or face prison.

Graham Wildin, 68, sparked outrage among his neighbours after adding the luxury extension to his home, including a bowling alley, cinema, squash courts, private casino and bar, in 2014 without getting planning permission.

Mr Wildin found himself embroiled in a lengthy legal row which led to a High Court judge handing down an injunction in 2018 – giving the accountant until the end of April 2020 to demolish the 10,000 sq/ft ‘man cave’.

Now he has lost his latest court battle to quash a suspended prison sentence for failing to remove the extension at his home, in Cinderford, Gloucestershire.

And if he does not comply with a Court of Appeal deadline to pull down the structure by March 2022, he could face jail.

Mr Wildin was ordered to tear down the man cave as it had a serious impact on his neighbours, the court ruled.

He was found in contempt of court after refusing to cave in to the court’s ruling – and given a sentence of six weeks in prison, suspended for a year.

An appeal was heard at the Court of Appeal in the Royal Courts of Justice in London in September, with judges Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing and Lord Justice Edis handing down their judgement yesterday.

Mr Wildin enjoying the cinema in his luxury leisure complex, which he built without obtaining planning permission (Picture: SWNS.com)

He must complete the required work by March 10 next year to avoid prison.

The court found there was no way to prove Mr Wildin could afford to demolish the extension as he has not made a full disclosure his assets.

But Lady Justice Laing said he was ‘entirely the author of his own misfortune’ – adding there was a ‘reasonable basis’ to suggest he was a wealthy man.

Mr Wildin, pictured in his personal bowling alley, must demolish the complex by next March (Picture: David Hedges SWNS.com)

Mr Wildin’s back garden leisure centre – which infuriated the neighbours (Picture: David Hedges SWNS.com)

Forest of Dean Council has also been awarded substantial costs.

Council leader Tim Gwilliam said in a statement: ‘If Mr Wildin had followed the guidance of experts and complied with the sentencing originally handed down, this further court date would not have been necessary.

‘As a council it is important to ensure that development proposals improve the environments in which they live, whilst safeguarding the community.

Mr Wildin previously argued he didn’t need planning permission to build the leisure complex (Picture: David Hedges SWNS.com)

‘Every year, hundreds of people ask the council for planning advice and follow it.

‘This has not been the case in Mr Wildin’s instance.’

Mr Wildin previously argued he did not need planning permission and claimed removing the complex would ruin him and force him to lay off 40 staff.

He has been approached for comment.

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