A developer has been ordered to halt work on a holiday let site and remove buildings, with 100 trees to be planted in their place, after their planning appeal failed.
In May, the planning inspector ordered works on “irreplaceable” woodland in Silsden be destroyed and 300 trees planted, but the developer appealed the decision.
They said work had taken place more than four years before the notice was issued and was completed before they acquired the site.
But, during a four-day planning inquiry in July, planning inspector Paul Hocking said site photos and a visit he made “directly contradicts the appellant’s version of events”. Bradford Council was given permission to reclaim “significant” costs.
Hocking concluded two structures were likely to have been built more than four years ago – and so could remain on the site – and reduced the amount of trees needed from 300 to 100, but upheld the rest of the enforcement notice.
Under current planning laws developments started before 25 April 2024 and more than four years old are immune from enforcement.
