A mystery Turkish firm has been ordered to demolish holiday homes and associated infrastructure illegally constructed in an ancient woodland in West Yorkshire. The firm, Azara Gida San, purchased the 33-acre plot known as Jacobs Wood Farm in Silsden, Keighley, two years ago for £1.05 million. It was later accused of clearing the land and constructing four lodges, septic tanks, and roadways without the necessary planning consent.
Following a four-day inquiry, planning inspector Paul Hocking quashed the firm's appeal, ruling that most of the changes must be reversed and removed from the land. The inquiry focused on whether the development had been completed within the last four years, which would have rendered it immune from enforcement under current planning laws. However, the inspector determined that some structures, including two holiday homes, were built outside this time frame.
The ruling requires the removal of two newly erected buildings, three concrete pads, their associated septic tanks, fixtures, fittings, pipes, and the excavated areas where they were installed. All imported materials used for the access track must also be removed, and stockpiled earth and aggregate must be cleared from the land. These removal actions must be completed within 12 months.
The inspector disputed the firm's claim that some trees were damaged by a landslide. Instead, it is understood that more than 300 trees, including oak, silver birch, and hazel, were felled. The developer is now required to plant 100 trees within 20 months to replace those lost. The firm will also have to pay Bradford Council 'significant' legal costs due to the failed appeal.
Bradford Metropolitan District Council had initially issued an enforcement notice in January, demanding the planting of 300 trees and the reversion of the site to its previous state. The notice cited the construction of five concrete pads, four holiday homes, four septic tanks, and an access track within the past ten years, along with the unauthorized storage of earth and aggregate.
Azara Gida San had appealed the decision, claiming to be an 'innocent party' and that work had been completed before their purchase of the land. They also argued that the development had become immune to enforcement due to the passage of time, a claim that was rejected.
During the appeal, the firm stated that the buildings provided holiday accommodation, complementing existing permitted lets and supporting the local economy, particularly in anticipation of Bradford's year as UK City of Culture in 2025. However, wildlife groups had raised concerns about the impact of the development on the ancient woodland, describing it as 'invaluable' for wildlife and 'absolutely irreplaceable.'
The woodland is believed to be over 500 years old and contains rich ground flora important for species such as bats and breeding birds. The development was found to have had a 'harmful effect on the openness of the green belt,' and the loss of trees diminished the appearance of the Airedale Landscape, which is part of the South Pennine Moors, a special area of conservation.
Research indicates that Azara Gida San is involved in the production and export of food items, including olive oil and spices. The council previously issued a Temporary Stop Notice in September 2025 after becoming aware of the unauthorized development.
