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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ryan Fahey

Millionaire who illegally built 'UK's best man cave' has added huge pool, neighbours say

Neighbours of a millionaire who illegally built 'Britain's best man cave' are furious - claiming a massive indoor swimming pool has now been built in the family's garden.

New aerial photos above Graham Wildin's home show a new building - which locals say started appearing late last year.

Accountant Wildin, 69, has already been ordered to tear down his extensive 'man cave' by a council - but still refuses to do so.

Documents show he has transferred the ownership of two adjacent properties to a company run by his kids.

And now in the back garden of one of them a large building has appeared - which locals say is an indoor pool.

Locals say Wildin has built a massive indoor pool behind his property (Icebox Media / SWNS)

There appears to be inflatable toys piled on the decking outside.

Drone images show the new building stands alongside the controversial illegal complex that includes a cinema, squash court and bowling alley.

It is unclear whether he needed planning permission for the latest expansion as some pools are deemed 'permitted developments' depending on the scale.

Graham Wildin, 69, inside the leisure centre he has built for himself and his family in his back garden (SWNS)

However, no applications appear to have been submitted by Forest Dean Council in relation to it.

A council spokesperson said they couldn't comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings.

Neighbours said it feels like Mr Wildin has now "doubled down" on them over their objections to his refusal to follow the rules.

Critics claim he changed the land registry names to his children to build a "fortress" and stop bulldozers coming on to his land (SWNS)

One neighbour who lives on the road said on Monday: "He's not very well liked.

"He's upset everybody on this road by flouting planning rules and then parking his collection of classic cars everywhere.

"He's had a swimming pool built at the back, finished not long ago. That was ongoing for about four or five months.

Inside the complex is a cinema, squash court and bowling alley (SWNS)

"He gets up everybody's back, and to him it's payback time for all the people on this road.

"He's even had his gates repaired to keep everyone away from his house.

"There's always something going on up there, they started on the swimming pool which went in late last year.

Neighbours say Mr Wildin is "not very well liked" (SWNS)

"We don't see him very often. It's just a shame because he used to be part of the community and would join us in street parties and stuff, but now he's just annoyed everyone on the road and treats us badly.

"I don't know how they're going to knock down the buildings now though he's give away his houses, but hopefully they will find a way.

The legal maneuver means that demolition can only take place if approved by Mr Wildin's family members (SWNS)

Land registry documents show the new pool complex is within 24a Meendhurst Road - known as Altea - which was transferred to Expresser Ltd, a company based in Lydney, Glos, at a cost of £226,566 in June 2020.

According to Companies House, the active directors of the company are currently Graham's daughters Jacqueline Mannion and Louise Trigg and his son Philip Wildin.

The council refused to comment on the ongoing legal matter (Icebox Media / SWNS)

Philip is listed as joining the company in October 2004 and is a financial adviser, while Jacqueline and Louise, who also joined that year are listed as "accountants."

Other former directors include Graham Wildin himself, who is listed as resigning in 2004.

Another plot on the site, number 24 Meendhurst, which was formerly owned by Graham Wildin, has also been transferred to Expresser Ltd, according to documents from the Land Registry.

After an eight year battle, Graham has been ordered by the courts to destroy the complex (David Hedges SWNS.com)

The third part of the plot including the building where the illegal mancave is situated is on land known as 24b Meendhurst Road that still belongs to Graham Wildin - which he bought in 2013 for 230K.

Critics say the changes in the land ownership to his daughters and son was done to create a 'fortress' to stop bulldozers coming on the land.

The complex includes a cinema, squash court and bowling alley (SWNS.com)

After an eight year legal battle, the final deadline to pull down the man cave to avoid a jail sentence for contempt of court over ignoring the order passed without any action being taken a month ago.

It is understood relatives or neighbours would now have to give permission for the bulldozers to pass over their land to reach Wildin's mancave to forcibly take it down.

A Forest of Dean District Council spokesperson said: "The Council can not comment on an ongoing case and is continuing to work with the relevant authorities."

Wildin or his family didn't respond to requests for comment at his office or at the homes.

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