Neighbours furious as man parks fleet of classic cars in street after being forced to tear down ‘UK’s best man cave’
NEIGHBOURS are furious with a millionaire who parked a fleet of classic cars in the street after he had been ordered to tear down “Britain’s best man cave”.
Graham Wildin, 69, has faced a lengthy legal battle over his 10,000sq ft leisure complex at the back of his home.
He has been told the complex, which contains a cinema, squash court and a bowling alley, is illegal and he must destroy it.
Yesterday was the final deadline for it to go before he faces jail - but there was no sign of it being pulled down.
Now neighbours in Cinderford in the Forest of Dean say the accountant is using his classic car collection as the latest weapon in his battle.
They say he is moving the motors from a large garage at the side of his property and onto their residential street - and even across their driveways.
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Residents believe he wants them to complain to the Forest of Dean District Council.
They say he thinks it would force officials to backtrack on their order to remove the buildings erected in 2014 without planning permission.
Neighbours say the classic cars, including Bentleys, are being parked in Meendhurst Road and causing them significant trouble.
They say the cars take up too many spaces and make it difficult for them to use their own drives.
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Several neighbours say they have complained but fear nothing can be done because what Mr Wildin has done is not illegal.
Some cars have notices attached that give the registration number and a message saying they are taxed, insured and monitored by CCTV.
Neighbour Chris Briginshaw says one elderly neighbour found one of Mr Wildin's cars parked across her driveway.
Chris says he complained and says for a week a classic vehicle had been parked across his driveway in the middle of the night.
Mr Briginshaw said: "People are getting very upset about it all.
PEOPLE 'UPSET'
"I told him he was being unreasonable and anti-social but apparently that's not a problem because he has lived here longer than anyone else so he can do what he wants.''
Wildin faces a £300,000 tax bill after HMRC refused to believe his claim the man cave was for 'holidaymakers' and therefore the work was tax-deductible.
Local people took to Facebook to comment on the ongoing battle.
Philip Buckmaster said: "My dad lives next door, nothing to do with jealously it's the fact my dad's house shakes every night when he's bowling or got his cinema on.
"He has a massive car park on his land so why his many cars are all parked on a small no through road is just him being the bully he is."
'UNPLEASANT PERSON'
Judith Knight said: "Sounds like an unpleasant person to have as a neighbour sadly."
Nina Alex said: ''Why be antisocial and aggressive to your neighbours when it is not them who insisted the 'man cave' be demolished."
Paul Rogers added: "All go and park on his drive."
Phil Aubrey wrote: "Would you let people come and use your front garden as a toilet? No you wouldn't.
''He has c*****d on his neighbours, c*****d on the law, and c*****d on a judge’s orders and broken the law. End of."
Yet Mr Wildin is gathering some support too, as Leanne Batting seems to not understand the fury, questioning: "Just let him keep his man cave what's the issue????"
Miggy PS agreed: "Good man I would have done worse! Leave the bloke alone! Jealous bitter people."
Carol Crawford tried to set the record straight: "Mr Wildin's dispute is with the planning authority not with his neighbours?
''He's involved the neighbours by deliberately parking all his vehicles on the road, in some cases deliberately parking across their dropped kerb access to their driveways.
"He's hoping that if he inconveniences his neighbours enough they will complain to the planning authority who will then change their minds about demolishing his illegally erected buildings.''
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Another said: "Hopefully tomorrow will dawn with a wrecking ball approaching. Everyone else has to abide by planning laws.
''He is deliberately creating parking chaos.''
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