A mystery Turkish firm which illegally chopped down hundreds of trees to build holiday homes in an ancient English woodland has been ordered to demolish them.
The agricultural firm bought a 33-acre plot of green belt woodland called Jacobs Wood Farm in Silsden, Keighley, West Yorkshire, for £1.05million two years ago.
Earlier this year, it was accused of clearing the woodland to build four lodges, adjacent septic tanks and roadways without planning consent.
But following a four-day inquiry, inspector Paul Hocking quashed the firm's appeal and demanded almost all changes be reversed and removed from the land.
The hearing, which took place last month, 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.
But he found that two other newly erected buildings, three concrete pads and their septic tanks, fixtures, fittings, pipes, and the excavated areas where they were fitted need to be removed and filled in.
Turkish firm Azara Gida San has lost an appeal to demolish newly-built holiday homes at a plot in Keighley, West Yorkshire
The agricultural firm was said to have chopped down more than 300 trees within ancient woodland on the 33-acre plot
One of the concrete pads laid down for a new holiday home, which is among several items the council has ordered be removed
He also called for the removal of all stockpiled earth and aggregate as identified within the land.
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 within 12 months.
Mr Hocking disputed that some of the trees were damaged by a landslide, as claimed by the appellant.
Holiday homes illegally built on £1million ancient woodland to be demolished as row emerges over replacing 300 trees chopped down
He demanded a total of 100 trees – including oak, silver birch, field maple, rowan, crab apple, hazel, and hawthorn – be planted within 20 months to replace those lost to the work.
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 are planted 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 ten years.
It also says 'stockpiled' earth and aggregate are being stored without permission.
However, the firm – Azara Gida San – appealed the decision to the Planning Inspectorate claiming it was an 'innocent party' and that work had been done before the land was purchased.
The Turkish firm also claimed the works have 'become immune, due to the passage of time' but this was quashed.
In the appeal notice, the appellant stated the buildings provide holiday let accommodation, which 'complement the existing permitted holiday lets on site' and the new buildings 'support the local economy'.
Following Bradford's year as UK City of Culture in 2025, 'demand for holiday lets in the region has increased,' they claimed.
A number of wildlife groups raised concerns over the works, stating the area was 'invaluable' for animals.
Penny Hunt, co-founder of 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 issued by the council in September 2025 after it became aware of 'unauthorised development' completed in February of that year.
An 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. The developers have now lost an appeal and must demolish the works
The development had a 'harmful effect on the openness of the green belt', while the tree loss has resulted in a diminished appearance of the Airedale Landscape. The valley sits within the South Pennine Moors, a special area of conservation.
It is believed the woodland is more than 500 years old.
The land has rich 'ground flora' which is 'important for wildlife' and protected species, such as bats and breeding birds.
According to Carter Jonas Estate Agents, Jacobs Wood Farm was 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 is not '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 described the council's actions as 'extremely disappointing' and 'very aggressive'.
Bradford Council and Dewar Planning Associates have been approached for comment.