Holiday homes illegally built on £1million ancient woodland to be demolished as row emerges over replacing 300 trees chopped down

Published: 10:46, 8 June 2026 | Updated: 10:50, 8 June 2026 Holiday homes which were illegally built on a £1million ancient woodland will be demolished after a row broke out over replacing the 300 trees that were chopped down. Turkish agricultural firm Azara Gid San bought the 33-acre plot of woodland called Jacobs Hill Farm in Silsden, Keighley, West Yorkshire, for £1.05million two years ago. The obscure company is now accused of chopping down hundreds of trees - which were part of the 500-year-old woodland that is home to protected animals, like 'bats and breeding birds' - before building the lodges, adjacent septic tanks and roadways without planning permission. Bradford Metropolitan District Council has issued an enforcement notice demanding 300 trees are planted to replace those lost and the site reverted to its previous state. The enforcement notice claims five large concrete pads - four of which have had holiday homes built on them - as well as four septic tanks and an access track, have been built in the past 10 years. It also says 'stockpiled' earth and aggregate are being stored without permission. However, Azara Gid San have appealed the decision, calling themselves an 'innocent party' and claiming work was done prior to their purchase of the land. Database searches suggests the company is engaged in production and export activities of cooking items like olive oil and spices in Turkey. Jacobs Hill Farm in Silsden, Keighley, West Yorkshire, where groundworks for holiday homes have been stopped by the council  Bradford Metropolitan District Council has issued an enforcement notice demanding 300 trees are planted to replace those lost and the site reverted to its previous state The council said the development has negatively impacted the biodiversity of the South Pennine Moors They claim all works were 'completed prior to the acquisition of the site' and the works have 'become immune, due to the passage of time'. A number of wildlife groups have since criticised the tree felling, stating they are 'invaluable homes' for animals. Penny Hunt, Co-Founder, Yorkshire Dales Wildlife Rescue, said: 'Ancient woodlands are incredibly special and are absolutely irreplaceable. 'Our wildlife populations are in a precarious state and healthy woodlands give them a safe home from which to thrive.' 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. The enforcement notice comes after the council became aware of the 'unauthorised development' being completed in February 2024 and enforced a Temporary Stop Notice in the September which 'prohibited' the works and ordered them to 'cease'. The council's enforcement notice said the unauthorised works have caused a 'harmful effect on the openness of the Green Belt'. It said the tree loss has resulted in a diminished appearance of the 'Airedale Landscape' which is located within the zone of influence of the South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area. The woodland has rich 'ground flora' which is 'important for wildlife' including protected species, such as bats and breeding birds. Chiefs have since demanded all land changes be reversed in six months from March 3 and that 300 trees be replanted to repair the 'irreplaceable' woodland they allege has been lost by March 2027. In the appeal notice, the appellant states the buildings also provide holiday let accommodation, which 'complement the existing permitted holiday lets on site' and the new buildings 'support the local economy'. It added that following Bradford's year as UK City of Culture in 2025, 'demand for holiday lets in the region has increased'. Sam Dewar, Director of Dewar Planning Associates, who is acting on behalf of the appellant, said the enforcement notice isn't 'justified'. He said: 'The council have wholly misinterpreted planning policy with regards the "ground A" (enforcement notice) aspect of the enforcement appeal. 'Whilst we accept that the alleged buildings and hardstanding were built without planning, our understanding is that they were completed prior to my clients purchase, albeit apart from the forestry maintenance building.' They say the council's current actions have been 'extremely disappointing' and also claim they have been 'very aggressive'. The Illegally built access track at Jacobs Hill Farm, where groundworks for holiday homes have been blocked by the council One of the septic tanks at Jacobs Hill Farm which the council say were installed as part of illegal works One of the concrete slabs laid on the plot of woodland which would have a holiday home built on it They 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'. In response to the appeal, a spokesperson for the council said the 'assessed' development requires planning permission. They also said the landowner took no action to resolve the Stop Notice breach. In relation to the claim the works would boost local tourism, they said the 'small benefit would not represent very special circumstances to outweigh the demonstrable harm to the greenbelt'. The council also disputes the appellant's claim that the development is immune from enforcement action by reason of the passage of time. They said: 'Google Earth images demonstrate that there is no evidence of development taking place on the land prior to May 2025'. An appeal hearing regarding the works is set to take place on July 21. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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