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Eight families face losing their homes after a council revealed they were illegally built, then ordered them to be torn down. Eden Park Property Ltd erected a row two-storey terraced houses on a narrow plot behind some shops in Lewisham, south London - but the site only had approval to house some warehouse units. The firm purchased the land in 2018 and built the row of homes - naming it Kanli Mews after three of its co-directors. Tenants were charged rents of up to £1,050, totally unaware the properties lacked planning consent. Lewisham Council has now declared the homes substandard and demanded they be torn down. Magbule Selyahtinova, 50, has lived on the mews for around five years without knowing the buildings were unlawful. She told the Daily Mail: "I'm stressed because I have nowhere to go. We're stuck in limbo. Where will we go?" The Turkish tenant explained that her daughter and other residents have already departed after learning of the demolition order. Mrs Selyahtinova and her husband remain trapped, paying over £1,000 per month while struggling to find a move. She said: "We're looking for a rental, but nobody will rent to us. That's why we can't move out." The couple both claim Universal Credit, which she says prevents landlords from accepting them as tenants. Lewisham Council originally granted permission in 2009 for existing garages to be replaced with eight storage units. The authority issued an enforcement notice in 2021, demanding the developers either demolish the site entirely or convert it back to storage. Eden Park Properties appealed this decision in 2023 - but an independent planning inspector upheld the council's order this month. PLANNING WARS - READ MORE: Iconic greasy spoon locked in bitter £50,000 row with council - because it doesn't have a toilet Council tells man his flowerpots are ILLEGAL after he put them outside to 'brighten up his street' Pensioners forced to tear down £4,500 fence after neighbours complained it was 'intrusive' Inspector Timothy King ruled the 50-square-metre homes provided a "poor standard of accommodation" and represented an "unacceptable form of development". His decision stated the properties lacked adequate outdoor space and were unsuitable for habitation. The ruling concluded the development was "harmful to the character of the surrounding area". Eden Park Property Limited's co-director Husayan Kanli claimed: "There's no issue at all. There's no-one living there," when confronted with the order. But when told that tenants still lived at Kanli Mews, Mr Kanli hung up. His firm must now demolish the houses or rebuild according to the original warehouse plans. The site has been placed on the market without a guide price. Sales particulars advise prospective buyers that the eight houses require demolition, followed by construction of commercial warehouse or light industrial premises. Eden Park submitted a fresh planning application last year seeking to convert the terrace into five residential properties, which Lewisham Council has yet to decide. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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