A mysterious Turkish firm has been ordered to undo major changes made to an ancient woodland in West Yorkshire after a planning inspector found that much of the development could not remain on the site. According to SWNS, Azara Gid San, an agricultural company from Turkey, bought the 33-acre Jacobs Farm in Silsden, Keighley, for £1.05 million two years ago. The site later became the centre of a planning dispute after hundreds of trees were allegedly removed and several buildings and other structures were constructed without planning permission. Following a three-day inquiry in July, Planning Inspector Paul Hocking rejected the company's appeal against Bradford Metropolitan District Council's enforcement notice.
Holiday homes and concrete structures ordered to be removed
The inspector upheld the enforcement action covering two newly erected buildings, three concrete pads and associated septic tanks. The order also requires the removal of fixtures, fittings and pipes connected to the structures, along with the excavated areas where the septic tanks were installed. Stockpiled earth and aggregate must also be cleared from the land, while materials imported to create an access track must be removed. The work has to be completed within 12 calendar months, according to the appeal decision. Two holiday homes were excluded from the enforcement action after the inspector found they had been built outside the relevant time period.
100 trees must be planted to replace those lost
The case also focused heavily on the loss of trees from the woodland. Bradford Council had originally demanded that 300 trees be planted to compensate for the loss and that the site be restored to its previous condition. Inspector Hocking, however, ordered 100 replacement trees to be planted within 20 months. The planting is expected to include oak, silver birch, field maple, rowan, crab apple, hazel and hawthorn. He also rejected the suggestion that some of the trees had been lost or damaged because of a landslide. The developer has additionally been ordered to pay Bradford Council significant costs following the unsuccessful appeal.
Firm claimed work was done before it bought the land
Azara Gid San had described itself as an "innocent party", arguing that the disputed works had largely been carried out before it purchased Jacobs Farm. The company claimed the development had been completed more than four years earlier and had therefore become immune from enforcement because of the passage of time. That argument was rejected following the inquiry. In its appeal, the company also argued that the buildings were being used as holiday accommodation and would complement existing permitted holiday lets on the site. It claimed the development would support the local economy and pointed to increased demand for holiday accommodation in the region following Bradford's year as UK City of Culture in 2025.
Ancient woodland described as irreplaceable
The dispute has caused particular concern because of the ecological importance of Jacobs Farm. The woodland is believed to be more than 500 years old and contains rich ground flora considered important for wildlife. It also provides habitat for protected species, including bats and breeding birds. Wildlife groups raised concerns about the impact of the tree clearance and construction. Penny Hunt, co-founder of Yorkshire Dales Wildlife Rescue, said, "Ancient woodlands are incredibly special and are absolutely irreplaceable." Bradford Council said the unauthorised works had harmed the openness of the green belt and diminished the appearance of the Airedale landscape. The site is also within the zone of influence of the South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area.
Enforcement action began in 2025
The latest decision follows a Temporary Stop Notice issued by Bradford Council in September 2025 after officials became aware of unauthorised development at the site. The council subsequently issued its enforcement notice in January, alleging that five large concrete pads had been created, four of which had holiday homes built on them. It also cited four septic tanks, an access track and stockpiled earth and aggregate. The planning dispute eventually went before the Planning Inspectorate, resulting in the three-day inquiry in July.
What is known about the Turkish company?
Azara Gid San is understood to be involved in production and export activities in Turkey, including food products such as olive oil and spices. Property records show that Jacobs Wood Farm was sold two years ago for £1.05 million. The property's description mentioned three other properties on the land but did not detail the works that later became the subject of the enforcement case. Sam Dewar, director of Dewar Planning Associates, who represented the appellant, had previously argued that the council's enforcement action was not justified. "We accept that the alleged buildings and hardstanding were built without planning, but our understanding is that they were completed prior to my client's purchase, albeit apart from the forestry maintenance building," Dewar said. He also described the council's actions as "extremely disappointing" and claimed officials had been "very aggressive". The company had previously said it was willing to reach a suitable solution with the council, although it claimed the authority had not been forthcoming. With the appeal now dismissed, the developer faces a substantial restoration bill and a deadline to remove much of the unauthorised development from the ancient woodland.
