Firm ordered to tear down Yorkshire holiday homes from £1M ancient woodland and plant 100 trees

A mystery firm has been ordered to tear down holiday homes from ancient Yorkshire woodland.

The Turkish agricultural firm bought a 33-acre plot of green belt woodland called Jacobs Farm in Silsden, Keighley, West Yorkshire, for £1.05m two years ago.

Earlier this year, it was accused of chopping down hundreds of trees, building four lodges, adjacent septic tanks and roadways without planning consent.

Following a three-day inquiry, the Inspector Paul Hocking quashed the firm's appeal and demanded almost all changes to the land be reversed and removed from the site. The hearing - which took place in July - was to identify whether the changes had been completed prior to the last four years. Under current planning laws, this would mean the development would be immune from enforcement.

Inspector Hocking's verdict was released this week and he upheld the enforcement notice apart from two holiday homes which he says were built outside of the time frame.

But he found two other newly erected buildings, three concrete pads and their septic tanks, their fixtures, fittings, pipes, and the excavated areas where they were fitted need to be removed and filled in. He also called for the removal of all stockpiled earth and aggregate as identified within the land. And all imported materials forming the access track have also been ordered to be removed from the land.

In an appeal notice letter on the Bradford Council planning portal, it says the removal actions must be completed in 12 calendar months.

Mr Hocking disputed the fact that some of the trees were damaged by a landslide, as suggested by the appellant.

He demanded a total of 100 trees - including Oak, Silver Birch, Field Maple, Rowan, Crab Apple, Hazel, and Hawthorn - be planted in the area within 20 calendar months to replace those lost to the work. And the developer behind the works will have to pay Bradford Council “significant” costs due to the appeal's failure, according to the report.

Bradford Metropolitan District Council initially issued an enforcement notice in January demanding 300 trees be planted to replace those lost and the site reverted to its previous state.

The enforcement notice claims that five large concrete pads - four of which have had holiday homes built on - as well as four septic tanks, an access track, have been built in the past 10 years. It also says "stockpiled" earth and aggregate are being stored without permission.

However the firm - Azara Gid San - appealed the decision to the Planning Inspectorate claiming to be an "innocent party" and that work was done prior to purchase of the land.

Database searches suggest the firm is engaged in production and export activities in Turkey of cooking items like olive oil and spices.

The firm originally claimed that all works were completed four years ago "prior to the acquisition of the site" and the works have "become immune, due to the passage of time" but this was quashed.

In the appeal notice, the appellant also stated the buildings also provide holiday let accommodation, which "complement the existing permitted holiday lets on site" and the new buildings "support the local economy". And that following Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture in 2025, "demand for holiday lets in the region has increased".

At the time a number of wildlife groups raised concerns over the works, stating the area is "invaluable homes" for animals.

Penny Hunt, Co-Founder, Yorkshire Dales Wildlife Rescue, said: "Ancient woodlands are incredibly special and are absolutely irreplaceable."

The enforcement notice came after a Temporary Stop Notice was previously enforced by the council in September 2025 after they became aware of "unauthorised development" being completed the same February.

The council’s enforcement notice said the unauthorised works have caused a "harmful effect on the openness of the green belt"

They say the tree loss has resulted in a diminished appearance of the "Airedale Landscape" which is located within zone of influence of the South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area".

It is believed the woodland is over 500 years old. And the land has rich "ground flora" which is "important for wildlife" including protected species such as bats and breeding birds.

According to Carter Jonas Estate Agents, Jacobs Wood Farm was last sold two years ago. In the property description, there is a reference to three other properties on the land but there is no detail of the alleged works.

At the time, Sam Dewar, Director of Dewar Planning Associates, who is acting on behalf of the appellant, said the enforcement notice isn't "justified".

But following the decision, he said: "The appeal was part successful and part not but it is important to focus on the successful parts which includes retention of some holiday let units and a successful reduction in the number of trees to be planted.

"We are of course disappointed on the elements of the appeal that were ‘lost’ however the elements ‘won’ provide a good foundation for the Appellant to continue to invest into the site which will be good for tourism in the area.

"The Appellant aims to work with the council to finalise any outstanding matters."

They previously said they would be "more than happy to come to a suitable solution" with the council however, they have not been "forthcoming in that regard".

Councillor Andrew Judson, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Economy, Regeneration and Planning, said: “We are pleased that the Planning Inspector has supported and reinforced the Council’s original enforcement action.

"Although this has been a lengthy process, there is now substantial work for the developers to undertake to restore the ancient woodland that has been damaged and lost.

"The outcome sends a clear message that developers should engage with the Council at an early stage to ensure to ensure proposals and activities comply with planning requirements and avoid the need for enforcement action.

"This also sends a strong message to those few individuals and developers who think that planning rules do not apply to them.”