NEIGHBOURS have objected to a “garden-grabbing” plan to build a detached house in an Oxford garden.

Six letters have opposed the plan for a four-bedroom home in the place of a garage in the back garden of a semi-detached home in Littlemore Road, Cowley.

A letter from the next-door neighbours said: “Putting the application through would destroy our dreams for this house.”

They said the “garden grabbing” plan would block out natural light and views of fields and would be “overbearing” on their home.

Neighbour Paul Stone said the plan “will have a serious impact on our privacy as the first floor rear bedroom windows will directly overlook our rear garden”.

An Oxford City Council planning officer has recommended councillors approve the scheme as it “does not impact on the immediate neighbours in a detrimental way”.

The Government last year said new rules would make it more difficult to approve “garden grabbing” plans.

Gardens were no longer classed as “previously developed land”, which is easier to get permission for.

The council’s east area planning committee will consider the plan on Wednesday, January 4, at the Town Hall, in St Aldate's, at 6pm.