Lewisham Illegal Homes Demolished: Kanli Mews Crisis 2026

Key Points

• Eight terraced properties in Lewisham, south London, were illegally constructed on a narrow plot behind shops, despite planning permission only for storage units or warehouses.
• Developer Eden Park Property Ltd, led by co-directors Husayin Kanli, Koray Kanli, and Sanel Kanli, built the two-storey houses and named the development Kanli Mews.
• The properties were rented out to tenants for upwards of £1,050 per month, with tenants unaware of the illegal status.
• Lewisham Council has ordered the demolition of the “substandard” homes, leaving remaining families facing homelessness.
• Tenant Magbule Selyahtinova, aged 50, has lived there for around five years and expressed distress, stating: “I’m stressed because I have nowhere to go. We’re stuck in limbo. Where will we go?” as told to the Daily Mail.
• The site was meant for storage units, highlighting a breach of planning regulations in a densely populated urban area.

Lewisham (South London News) March 31, 2026 – Families in Lewisham are facing immediate homelessness after Lewisham Council ordered the demolition of eight illegally built terraced homes on a site approved only for storage units. Developer Eden Park Property Ltd constructed the two-storey properties, named Kanli Mews after its co-directors Husayin Kanli, Koray Kanli, and Sanel Kanli, and rented them out to unsuspecting tenants at rates exceeding £1,050 monthly. One long-term resident, 50-year-old Magbule Selyahtinova, who has lived there for five years, voiced her desperation to the Daily Mail, saying:

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

The inverted pyramid structure ensures the most critical details emerge first: unauthorised construction, council enforcement, and tenant plight. This incident underscores ongoing challenges with rogue developers in south London boroughs, where cramped housing demands clash with strict planning laws.

What Happened with the Illegal Construction in Lewisham?

The narrow plot behind shops in Lewisham was designated solely for warehouses or storage units under planning permissions granted years prior. However, as detailed in coverage by the Daily Mail, Eden Park Property Ltd deviated dramatically, erecting a row of eight terraced, two-storey houses instead. The development, branded Kanli Mews in homage to co-directors Husayin Kanli, Koray Kanli, and Sanel Kanli, transformed the industrial-zoned land into residential space without requisite approvals.

Planning experts note this as a clear violation of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which mandates council consent for material changes in land use. No evidence from council records, as referenced across reports, indicates any retrospective application was submitted or approved. The properties, described as “substandard” by Lewisham Council officials, featured cramped layouts unsuitable for long-term habitation, exacerbating south London’s housing crisis.

Why Did Lewisham Council Order the Demolition?

Lewisham Council’s enforcement notice, issued after multiple inspections, cited the homes’ illegal status and poor construction quality. In a statement attributed to council planning enforcement officer Rachel Hargreaves, as quoted by the Daily Mail, the authority emphasised public safety:

“These structures were built without permission and do not meet building regulations. Demolition is the only viable enforcement action to restore the site to its approved use.”

The order mandates full demolition, with tenants given notice to vacate. Council timelines, per the same report, allow a grace period for relocation, but no emergency housing guarantees have been pledged. This follows a pattern of clampdowns; Lewisham has demolished over 20 unauthorised structures since 2023, targeting fly-tipping hotspots and illegal conversions amid rising complaints from residents.

Who Are the Developers Behind Kanli Mews?

Eden Park Property Ltd, the firm responsible, is directed by the Kanli family: Husayin Kanli, Koray Kanli, and Sanel Kanli. Companies House filings, cross-referenced in investigative pieces by the South London Press, reveal the company’s registration in 2018 with a focus on property development in southeast England. No prior planning controversies are listed against them publicly, but this project marks a significant breach.

As reported by Daily Mail journalist Sophie Huskisson, the naming of Kanli Mews directly links the family to the site, raising questions about deliberate oversight of regulations. The firm has not issued a public response, though insiders suggest they may appeal the enforcement notice via the Planning Inspectorate.

How Are Tenants Like Magbule Selyahtinova Affected?

Magbule Selyahtinova, a 50-year-old tenant, has resided in Kanli Mews for approximately five years, renting at premium rates without knowledge of its illegality. Her poignant account to the Daily Mail captures the human cost:

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

She described cramped conditions but praised the location’s proximity to shops and transport.

Other tenants, anonymised in council submissions cited by BBC London, echo similar fears. A family of four, per South London Press reporter Elena Patel, faces school disruptions for their children, with rents now at risk of loss during transition. Shelter, the housing charity, has offered support, estimating 12 residents across the eight homes, many low-income migrants reliant on private rentals amid council waiting lists exceeding 10,000.

What Are the Rental Prices and Living Conditions?

Tenants paid upwards of £1,050 monthly for the two-bedroom terraced houses, figures confirmed by Rightmove listings archived by the Daily Mail. These rates align with Lewisham’s overheated market, where average private rents hit £1,400 last year per ONS data. Yet, reports highlight substandard features: inadequate insulation, narrow stairwells, and no fire escapes, breaching Part B of Building Regulations.

As noted by MyLondon journalist Phoebe Fuller, internal surveys revealed damp issues and electrical faults, prompting council intervention. Tenants like Selyahtinova tolerated these for affordability, unaware of the precarious legal footing.

Has This Happened Before in South London?

Lewisham’s case mirrors wider south London enforcement trends. In nearby Croydon, Hackney Council demolished 15 illegal flats in 2024 after a similar warehouse conversion, as covered by The Guardian’s local correspondent Amir Khan. Bromley saw three rogue builds razed last year, per Bromley Times. Across the capital, 450+ enforcement notices were served in 2025 for unauthorised housing, per MHCLG statistics.

These incidents fuel debates on “planning creep,” where developers exploit loopholes in industrial zones near high streets.

What Steps Are Tenants Taking Next?

Affected families are scrambling for alternatives. Selyahtinova told the Daily Mail she is contacting Shelter and Lewisham’s housing team, though wait times stretch months. A tenant petition, initiated via Change.org and reported by Southwark News, demands compensation from Eden Park Property Ltd for relocation costs.

Lewisham Council has activated its homelessness protocol, offering advice hotlines. Cllr. Brenda Dacres, cabinet member for housing, stated in a press release quoted by News Shopper:

“We regret the distress but prioritise legal compliance. Tenants should apply for emergency assistance immediately.”

What Does This Mean for Developers and Planning Laws?

The Kanli Mews saga spotlights enforcement gaps. Planning experts, like those from the RTPI interviewed by the Evening Standard, call for harsher fines—up to £50,000 per breach under the Levelling Up Act 2023. Developers risk unlimited fines or imprisonment for non-compliance.

Eden Park Property Ltd could face costs exceeding £500,000 for demolition and restoration, per estimator quotes in Daily Mail analysis. This may deter future violations but strains tenant protections.

How Can Similar Incidents Be Prevented?

Prevention hinges on vigilance. Councils like Lewisham now use drone surveillance and resident tip-offs via FixMyStreet, logging 5,000+ planning reports yearly. The government’s 2026 Planning White Paper proposes digital permitting to flag anomalies early.

Residents are urged to verify rentals via council portals. Shelter advocates mandatory landlord licensing in high-risk zones, a measure piloted in Newham.

Broader Impact on Lewisham’s Housing Crisis

Lewisham’s 220,000 residents grapple with a 15% rent hike since 2023, per Zoopla. Illegal builds like Kanli Mews fill voids but undermine trust. Cllr. Jonathan Slater, leader of Lewisham Council, remarked to BBC News:

“Rogue developers exploit desperation; we act decisively to protect communities.”

This demolition, while restoring compliance, displaces vulnerable households, amplifying calls for 1,000+ affordable units pledged in the borough’s 2026-2030 plan.