William Eichler 22 April 2025

Council spends £220k demolishing ‘man cave’

Council spends £220k demolishing ‘man cave’ image
© Allison H. Smith / Shutterstock.com.

Forest of Dean District Council was forced to spend £220,000 demolishing an illegally built leisure complex belonging to a millionaire.

Dubbed ‘Britain's biggest man cave’, the building housed a bowling alley, casino, and cinema and was constructed without planning permission.

A council spokesperson said efforts to recover the £220,000 from the landowner were ‘actively underway’.

They added: ‘These rules are in place to ensure development is carried out legally, safely, and in a way that protects our communities and shared environment.

‘When individuals choose to ignore these rules, they not only act unlawfully but place an unfair burden on the wider public.’

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Law and Governance

Islington London Borough Council
up to £140,445 per annum
Leading with integrity. Governing with confidence. Delivering for Islington. Islington, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Islington London Borough Council

School Crossing Patroller

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Pro Rata Salary - £5353,77
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Principal Housing Lawyer - Epping Forest District Council

Essex County Council
£61754.0000 - £72026.0000 per annum
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Epping Forest District Council in recruiting a Principal Housing Lawyer.Please click HERE to England, Essex, Epping
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Apprentice - Housing Management

Durham County Council
£15,434 per annum (£8.00ph) NMW
Earn.  Learn.  Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, d Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - £35,412 - £39,152 / Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091 (pay award pending)
1 X Temporary post (22.5 hpw) until 31/03/2027 - Hospital Discharge Team East - Seaham 1 x Temporary post (30 hpw) maternity cover for 12 months or re Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner