Lewisham orders demolition of eight illegal homes built on warehouse land
Eight terraced houses in Lewisham, south London, must now be demolished after being built without proper planning permission. The properties, rented out for over £1,050 a month, were constructed on land meant for storage units. Lewisham Council has ruled the homes 'substandard' and ordered their removal.
Eden Park Property Ltd erected the houses despite only having approval for warehouses. The company has since refused to comment on the situation when contacted by the Daily Mail.
Three families still live on the site, including Magbule Selyahtinova, who has resided there for nearly five years. She and her husband, reliant on Universal Credit, now face difficulties securing new housing. The council's decision leaves them and others scrambling for alternatives. The land has been listed for sale with no set price, but any buyer must comply with the demolition order. Eden Park Properties has two options: tear down the houses or rebuild the site as originally approved—storage units. No official records confirm how many similar illegal conversions of warehouses into homes have occurred in London over the past five years.
The families affected must leave as the houses fail to meet basic living standards. The site's future remains uncertain, with demolition the most likely outcome. Lewisham Council's ruling enforces compliance with planning laws, leaving tenants to find new places to live.
