If your friend has something in writing from the Junta de Andalucia granting permission to convert the garage for commercial purposes, he/she should take this paperwork to the Arboleas town hall and ask officials there why this permission has been overturned. Only town hall staff can provide the information that they require. Once they know why the bar is not allowed to open, and they still think the decision is unfair, then they should look for an appropriate lawyer if they are prepared to spend more money on the venture.

@ Amy - not sure how your link to information on planning permission in Northumberland UK is going to help these people with a planning problem that they are having in Spain!!

I would advise your friend to engage the services of a LOCAL Abogado, who is experienced with planning law.

They will then ensure that this issue is addressed sensitively, as (in my experience) a Guiri lodging an official appeal / complaint with all guns blazing will NOT achieve the desired results.

An experienced Abogado may at least be able to speak informally with the correct person and find out the exact reasons as to why permission was denied - it may be down to something very simple and easily rectified.

http://www.tumbit.com/how-to-guides/arti...

If permission was granted in the first place..................go back to the town hall with all paperwork, ask why permission has NOW been refused, get down in writing WHY, then go to a lawyer, it maybe something very trivial,

http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/default...

i have a friend who was granted permission from the Junta de Andalucia to convert a garage on their property into a bar, now they are due to open they have been given a planning refusal from the local Ayuntiamento in Arboleas. The property is on urban land and is not overdeveloped. How can they apeal this decision successfully?