MAD CAVE
Moment millionaire Graham Wildin who built ‘ultimate lad pad’ tries to tear down a fence after furious row with neighbours
The neighbours have been locked in a bitter dispute which reached a peak
THIS is the moment a millionaire who built a controversial man cave in his garden was apparently caught on camera tearing down a fence in an ongoing row with neighbours.
Graham Wildin was filmed by a woman who lives next door, with the terrified neighbour claiming the 62-year-old hurled a compost bin at her in the escalating tension between the Gloucester locals.
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Wildin had caused outrage in the community when he built a massive extension without planning permission, with the businessman given until July to tear it down.
The 10,000sq/ft leisure centre, including a two-lane bowling alley, a 16 seat cinema, squash courts, private casino and bar, defied planning rules.
The local council warn that the vastly expensive project must be removed in a matter of weeks.
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But Mr Wildin has faced further rows with his neighbours over land boundary disputes and a fence between the property in Cinderford, Glos.
Neighbour Garry Thomas, 36, constructed a 12ft-wide wooden fence last summer so he didn't have to look at the extension.
Mr Wildin claimed the £300 fence encroached onto his property, but Mr Thomas said his deeds showed the fence was within his own boundary.
The situation escalated when Mr Wildin tore down the wooden fence, captured on film by Mr Thomas' partner on April 26.
In the video, millionaire Mr Wildin appears to be rocking the fence backwards and forwards.
He then climbs up on to a ledge and can be seen throwing a black plastic bin, apparently at Mr Thomas' stunned partner.
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Dad-of-three Mr Thomas said he had bought his family home five years ago but is now considering selling up because of the hostilities.
Mr Thomas said: "I was enraged when I found out. I'm not the sort of person who will flip out but I just cannot believe someone could do that, he belittles everyone."
He claims he put up mesh fencing following the incident, which Mr Wildin has allegedly cut in two.
Relations became strained between the neighbours when Mr Wildin built his a spectacular playhouse for his grandchildren five years ago.
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Mr Thomas refused to sign a petition backing the plans, which he now believes caused the accountant to take offence, and said: "It's always his way or the highway.
Mr Wildin began building the luxury complex in the back garden of his six-bedroomed mansion in 2013, and finished the following year.
The grandfather-of-five claims he took careful notice of planning laws and was taking advantage of a loophole which allows him to construct the building.
He claimed he thought he did not need permission when he started construction, but council officials said the building breached planning laws and issued an enforcement notice for it to be removed in February, later extended until July.
Forest of Dean District Council planners have said the "bulky structure" is "totally out of scale and proportion with the surrounding development".
Mr Wildin told a local newspaper: "It's not coming down. That is definite.
"The council have given notice at the end of which they will have to decide whether they are going to do anything or not. But there are a lot of legal issues involved."
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Mr Wildin had always maintained he did not need planning permission and it was semi-submerged 18 foot into the ground, saving neighbours' views.
A spokesperson for the Forest of Dean District Council said: "There is an enforcement notice requiring the removal of unauthorised development at 24 Meendhurst Road, Cinderford.
"Mr Wildin has until the 7 July 2017 to comply with the notice which has been endorsed by a planning inspector.
"Once the period for compliance with the notice has expired, Mr Wildin will be liable to further action, including prosecution in the courts for a breach of the notice.
"Due to the possibility of legal action it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time."