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.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Assistant - ASC

Essex County Council
£25081.0000 - £25395.0000 per annum
Residential Assistant - ASCPermanent, Part Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Consultant Social Worker - Frontline

Durham County Council
Grade 13 - £47,181 - £51,356
Are you an experienced children and families social worker keen to help develop the next generation of social workers in Durham?   Are you passionate Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091
Applications are invited for a Social Worker within the Easington Locality Team. WHAT IS INVOLVED? Are you a compassionate and dedicated Social Work Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Supervisor

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Supervisor Grade 1, £24,796 pro rata Permanent, term time only, 10 hours per week 11.40 – 1.40 Monday to Friday Required from 11/05/2026   P Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Specialist Autism Pathway Lead

Durham County Council
£42,057 - £51,048 plus TLR2B £5,869 and SEN1 £2,787
Specialist Autism Pathway Lead M5- UPR3 TLR2b with 1 SEN point- £42,057 - £51,048 plus TLR2B £5,869 and SEN1 £2,787 Permanent- Monday 8.45 – 4.30pm Tu Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner