THE millionaire owner of “Britain’s biggest man cave” faces a £220,000 bill from the council which demolished it using taxpayers’ money.
Accountant Graham Wildin, 71, built the structure, with a bowling alley, casino and cinema, at the back of his home without planning permission in 2014.
Forest of Dean District Council has now started proceedings to reclaim from him the huge sum it spent demolishing the illegal 10,000sq/ft development last summer.
Wildin spent a decade fighting to preserve his leisure complex in Cinderford, Gloucs, and was even jailed for ignoring a demolition order.
The judge sentenced him to six weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, on the condition that the building be permanently stripped and decommissioned within 18 weeks.
The council said: “These funds were drawn from council approved resources, and recovery proceedings are actively underway to reclaim the full cost from the landowner.
This case highlights the critical importance of complying with planning regulations.”
“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.”
Wildin has been contacted for comment.
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