DEVELOPERS were this week told they will have to wait three weeks to find out if they can build 21 new houses in Astley on land attached to a bungalow, which was twice set on fire by vandals on Saturday.

Redwaters Construction had applied to Wigan Council planners to build 10 townhouses and 11 detached houses on land behind properties in Church Road.

But on Tuesday, planning chiefs decided to hold a site visit before they make a decision on the application, which has been amended following an earlier refusal.

The application was previously refused in August, but developers have since submitted an amended plan.

A number of local residents have written to the council objecting to the plans, which would entail demolishing two pre-war semi-detached homes to gain access to the Abbeycroft bungalow plot.

This week, a spokesman for the estate executors, who are disposing of the bungalow and land said: "Vandals are constantly breaking in -- I'm sure they are the same ones who have been causing problems on the nearby estate throwing bricks through shop windows."