A DECISION on whether a controversial children's home in Atherton can go ahead, has been deferred indefinitely.

Residents have been in uproar about plans to convert Oaklea, a residential house at the junction of Hamilton Street and Leigh Road, into a private children's home for 11-16-year-olds.

But when planning chiefs and local councillors made a site visit, the owners of the property, who also own the OAP home The Hamiltons next door, were reported to be on holiday in America.

And an agent, acting on the owners' behalf, would not allow ward councillors who were not members of the planning committee, access to the site.

Wigan's planning department has received 22 letters of objection and a petition from concerned residents.

Cllr Sue Loudon, who is a member of the planning committee, said: "It was decided to defer the application until the owners return from America."

She said the current position was unsatisfactory.

"I didn't really want this application deferred as it would be best all round if a decision could be made quickly.

"The owners have to work with local residents and this sort of thing doesn't help improve relations."

She said that a site visit had been penned in for early May but that the agent, acting on behalf of the owners, had been unable to give councillors a concrete date of return.