proposed converted use of garage

[traceyace]

We have bought a house with a garage attached to it (the house was split two third one third (the one third being the garage) but the owners don't want to sell us the garage. They say they have planning permission to make it into a home and they are going to convert it and live in it. This means two things. The first is that our house will become a semi and the second is that their windows overlook part of our garden on one side and they can see into our garden on the other side through their windows and above the garden wall.
Can we object to the conversion work taking place (they already have planning permission) and if so, what are the chances of our objection being upheld?
Thank you

[acsimpson]

As far as I am aware once they have their planning permission there is not much that you can do.

Was the planning permission in place when you bought the house and if so were you aware of it? if not were you aware that the garage was not included and if so what did you think it would be used for?

[traceyace]

Thank you for your prompt reply. When we bought the house we were aware that the garage had planning permission but the agreement was that we would purchase the garage at a later date (nothing recorded formally) because we didn't want any neighbours. The sellers, unfortunately, changed their minds and decided to keep it for themselves.
Thank you

[acsimpson]

I'm afraid there's probably not much you can do in that situation. You could try speaking to your local planning officer but with nothing in writing he would only have your word against theirs.

Failing that you could try paying the owners not to do it, but would need a solicitor involved to make sure they can't wriggle out of it. That's likely to be an expensive option though.