Key Points

• Eight terraced properties in Lewisham, south London, built illegally by Eden Park Property Ltd on a narrow plot behind shops, despite permission only for storage units or warehouses.
• Properties named Kanli Mews after co-directors Husayin, Koray, and Sanel Kanli; rented out to tenants for upwards of £1,050 per month.
• Lewisham Council has ordered demolition of the “substandard” homes, leaving families facing homelessness.
• Tenant Magbule Selyahtinova, 50, has lived there for around five years without knowing the homes were unauthorised; expressed distress over lack of alternative housing.
• Tenants report challenges including cramped conditions, stress from relocation, and difficulties finding new rentals due to their circumstances.
• Development occurred on land designated for storage, highlighting enforcement issues in local planning.

Lewisham, south London – Families face homelessness as eight homes must be demolished after developers built them illegally (South London News) April 8, 2026.

Why Are Eight Homes in Lewisham Facing Demolition?

In Lewisham, south London, Eden Park Property Ltd constructed eight two-storey terraced houses on a narrow plot behind shops, naming the development Kanli Mews after co-directors Husayin, Koray, and Sanel Kanli. The land had received planning permission solely for storage units or warehouses, not residential properties. These homes were subsequently rented to tenants at rates exceeding £1,050 per month.

Lewisham Council has now mandated the demolition of the “substandard” properties, forcing remaining occupants to vacate. As reported by journalists at the Daily Mail, one tenant, 50-year-old Magbule Selyahtinova, who has resided in Kanli Mews for approximately five years, was unaware of the illegal construction. She stated to the Daily Mail:

“I’m stressed because I have nowhere to go. We’re stuck in limbo. Where will we go?”

What Triggered the Demolition Order from Lewisham Council?

The enforcement action stems from the unauthorised change of use. Planning documents confirm the site was approved only for non-residential storage, yet developers proceeded with housing. Council inspectors deemed the buildings substandard, citing cramped conditions and non-compliance with building regulations.

Lewisham Council confirmed the order in statements to local media, noting ongoing monitoring of planning breaches. No timeline for demolition has been specified, but tenants must relocate imminently. Coverage in the Daily Mail highlights that the properties’ narrow plot exacerbated issues like limited access and inadequate space standards.

Who Are the Developers Behind Kanli Mews?

Eden Park Property Ltd, with co-directors Husayin Kanli, Koray Kanli, and Sanel Kanli, developed the site. The naming of Kanli Mews directly references these individuals.

Companies House records list the firm as active in property development, though specifics on prior projects remain limited in public reports.

As per Daily Mail reporting, the developers rented the properties to “unsuspecting tenants,” profiting from the unauthorised builds before enforcement. No statements from the directors appear in available coverage, and the council has not disclosed enforcement notices against them publicly.

How Have Tenants Been Affected by the Illegal Build?

Tenants, including Magbule Selyahtinova, face immediate displacement. Selyahtinova told the Daily Mail: “We have so much luggage, so many things here, we’re under a lot of stress, and basically nobody will rent to us.” She described living in cramped conditions, unaware of the legal issues until the demolition order.

Other families remain in the properties, dealing with uncertainty. The high rental rates—over £1,050 monthly—placed them in a vulnerable position, as alternative housing in south London proves scarce and expensive. Local housing charities have noted similar cases where illegal conversions leave renters exposed.

What Planning Permissions Were Granted for the Site?

The plot behind Lewisham shops received approval for warehouses or storage units, as per council archives cited in media reports.

No residential consent was sought or granted. Developers bypassed this by constructing terraced houses, a common issue in urban areas with high housing demand.

Planning experts, quoted anonymously in Daily Mail follow-ups, point to resource strains on councils, delaying detections of such breaches.

When Did Tenants First Move into Kanli Mews?

Occupancy began around five years ago, with Selyahtinova among early residents. Renting continued until the council’s intervention, generating steady income for developers. The exact construction completion date remains unspecified in reports, but the five-year tenancy aligns with post-build lettings.

Why Did Developers Choose Residential Over Storage Units?

No direct explanation from Eden Park Property Ltd appears in coverage. The decision likely responded to London’s housing shortage, where demand for rentals outstrips supply. However, this violated permissions, leading to the current crisis.

What Steps Has Lewisham Council Taken So Far?

The council issued the demolition order after inspections revealed substandard conditions. Officers have engaged tenants on relocation support, though details are limited. Enforcement against developers may follow, potentially including fines or restoration orders, per standard procedure under the Town and Country Planning Act.

Council spokespeople, as reported across outlets, emphasise commitment to planning law compliance.

How Does This Case Highlight Broader Issues in South London?

This incident reflects ongoing challenges in Lewisham and south London, where illegal developments occur amid housing pressures. Similar cases in nearby boroughs involve converted industrial sites turned residential without approval. Tenants often discover issues only upon enforcement.

Local reporters note that cramped, substandard homes pose safety risks, from fire hazards to poor ventilation.

What Support Is Available for Displaced Tenants?

Tenants like Selyahtinova may access council homelessness prevention duties under the Housing Act 1996. This includes advice, temporary accommodation, or priority on housing registers. Charities such as Shelter offer guidance, as referenced in related coverage.

Selyahtinova’s account underscores practical barriers: accumulated belongings and landlord reluctance to rent to those from irregular tenancies.

Background of the Development

The Kanli Mews site, a narrow plot behind shops in Lewisham, south London, was designated for commercial storage under planning permissions granted prior to construction. Eden Park Property Ltd acquired or developed it, installing eight two-storey terraced houses around five years ago.

Co-directors Husayin Kanli, Koray Kanli, and Sanel Kanli named the project after themselves. Lettings commenced at over £1,050 monthly, targeting renters amid south London’s acute housing needs. Discovery of the breach followed council inspections, prompted by neighbour complaints or routine checks, leading to the substandard classification and demolition mandate.

No prior violations by the firm are detailed in public records, though the case underscores gaps in pre-build oversight.

Prediction for Lewisham Residents and Tenants

This development will compel the eight affected households to seek new accommodation in a tight south London market, where average rents exceed £1,800 for similar properties, per recent Zoopla data. Displaced tenants may face higher costs, relocation stress, and delays in securing homes, as private landlords often avoid those from enforcement cases.

Lewisham residents could see stricter council monitoring of plots, potentially slowing unauthorised builds but straining planning resources. Broader community impacts include eroded trust in rental stock quality, prompting more reports of irregularities. For vulnerable families, reliance on council support may rise, though waiting lists persist, extending limbo periods like that described by tenants.