A millionaire who lost a decade-long fight to preserve Britain's 'biggest man cave' has become embroiled in a fresh dispute with neighbours, claiming they have been plaguing him with hoax calls during the night. Graham Wildin, 73, spent more than ten years battling to keep his unlawful 10,000 sq ft leisure complex, which featured a bowling alley, casino and cinema, built without planning permission in 2014 at his home in Cinderford, Gloucestershire.
Forest of Dean District Council began demolishing the complex in June last year, and drone photographs now show it resembles a 'concrete car park'. The dispute has resurfaced in new planning documents relating to an Airbnb Wildin now runs on the site. In an application for a noise management plan, representatives declined to publish a personal phone number for neighbours to report violations, citing previous issues with prank calls at unreasonable hours, believed to originate from some neighbours, which police have been unwilling to pursue.
The noise management plan was approved last month, fulfilling a planning requirement for the holiday let. It includes a noise monitoring system that alerts owners if thresholds are exceeded, and provides a work contact number and email address. Guests are prohibited from using the outdoor hot tub between 11pm and 7am and from making excessive noise during those hours.
Local residents said matters have improved since the demolition. One commented: 'It has all gone very quiet. He has his moments but keeps himself to himself.' Another added: 'It was about time and I think everyone down the bottom are very happy it has gone.' A further neighbour remarked: 'I don't know anything about any prank calls to him but that probably shows just how much he upset people here.'
Wildin declined to respond to requests for comment. The council had previously confirmed it would be seeking costs from him. The battle began in November 2013 when Wildin started building the leisure complex, prompting a complaint. After warnings, the council secured an injunction in November 2018, giving him until April 2020 to demolish it.
