Bradford Metropolitan District Council has issued an enforcement notice demanding the removal of five concrete pads, four holiday lodges and associated infrastructure built on Jacobs Hill Farm, a 500‑year‑old woodland in Silsden, West Yorkshire. the council requires the planting of 300 trees and full restoration by March 2027 , while the Turkish‑owned Azara Gid San appeals the decision, claiming the works predate its purchase.

Azara Gid San’s £1.05 million purchase and alleged pre‑existing works

According to the council’s notice, Azara Gid San bought Jacobs Hill Farm for £1.05 million two years ago, yet the firm argues that the holiday lodges and septic tanks were erected before it took ownership. The appeal, filed through Dewar Planning Associates, contends that the passage of time has rendered the enforcement action “immune”. However, Bradford Council disputes this,emphasizing that no planning permission was ever granted for the structures.

300 trees to be replanted after hundreds of ancient specimens were felled

The enforcement notice cites the loss of hundreds of trees that dated back five centuries, many of which provided habitat for protected bats and breeding birds.. Penny Hunt, co‑founder of Yorkshire Dales Wildlife Rescue, warned that ancient woodlands are “irreplaceable” and essential for struggling wildlife populations. The council has set a six‑month deadline, starting 3 March, for the planting of 300 replacement trees to begin restoring the ecosystem .

Legal timeline: from February 2024 discovery to March 2027 restoration deadline

Bradford Council first identified the unauthorised development in February 2024 and issued a Temporary Stop Notice in September to halt further construction. The enforcement notice now obliges Azara Gid San to dismantle the buildings,remove septic tanks and restore the land by March 2027, marking a protracted legal battle that underscores the tension between development pressure and conservation.

Local economy argument versus biodiversity concerns

Director Sam Dewar of Dewar Planning Associates argued that the holiday lets complement existing accommodations and boost the local economy, especially after Bradford’s designation as UK City of Culture in 2025. Environmental gropus and residents, however, view the tree felling as an attack on a valuable natural resource, noting that the woodland lies within the Airedale Landscape and the South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area.

Unresolved questions about responsibility and disclosure

The council’s investigation revealed that estate agent Carter Jonas did not disclose the alleged works when handling the 2022 sale, raising questions about due diligence. Additionally, it remains unclear whether Azara Gid San will ultimately be held liable for the illegal works or if the appeal will overturn the enforcement notice.