Britain's best man cave is set to be demolished after its owner lost an appeal against the suspended prison sentence he got for building it.

Wealthy accountant Graham Wildin, 70, built a massive 'leisure complex' behind his home – housing a bowling alley, a cinema, a casino, a private bar and even squash courts.

But Mr Wildin's neighbours in Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire were unimpressed by the unlawful development.

Graham began construction on the site in 2014 without planning permission, with a lengthy legal battle with neighbours and Forest of Dean district council going all the way to the High Court.

In 2018 the High Court placed an injunction and Wildin was given till the end of April last year to remove the leisure complex.

After claiming he lacked the funds to do so, Graham was held in contempt of court for not following the court's orders.

With the country's best man cave still standing 18 months after its due date for demolition, Wildin appeared in court last week to plead his appeal.

• 

  Inside life of Britain's youngest lotto winner – drugs, benefits and huge transformation

Yet Justice Jarman handed Graham a custodial sentence of six weeks, suspended for one year.

And yesterday, Wildin's appeal against that verdict failed.

He had said it was impossible to get rid of the massive building because he couldn't find contractors and lacked the cash to pay them.

But the judge said Wildin must get rid of the building's main fittings within 18 weeks, or face another court date.

• 

  Female rapper and model face investigation for kiss in front of sacred Russian tomb

That includes stripping the interior of the building, removing all sports equipment, the cinema, bowling alley, all doors, lighting, radiators, fixtures, sanitary ware and furniture, disconnecting electricity and cutting water supplies.

Forest of Dean council leader Tim Gwilliam said: “Today’s result was completely avoidable.

"If Mr Wildin had followed the advice of the many experts who advised him to comply with the law, he would not have faced this outcome."

• 

  China on 'brink of war' with Taiwan as Beijing 'contemplated' attacking islands

F or the latest breaking news from the Royal Family and stories from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here .

“The council does its best to assist people in securing permissions for development proposals that improve the environment in which they live whilst safeguarding the community. It is important that the planning rules and policies are adhered to.

“The Forest of Dean District Council would like to thank the people of the Forest and the people of Cinderford in particular for their patience while we followed the lengthy process of making this happen."

Source: Read Full Article