A community has voiced concerns of environmental damage at a derelict sports club on the edge of Norwich.
The former Oasis Sports and Leisure Club in Thorpe St Andrew has been subject to various applications over the past few years.
Broadland District Council unanimously approved a full planning application for the demolition of existing buildings at the site for construction of a care village - made up of an 80-bed care home, 19 assisted living bungalows and outbuildings, in September 2019.
However recent work on the land has passers-by worried about it's long-term natural implications.
Eleanor Laming, Green Party councillor for Brundall Ward and who lives in Thorpe St Andrew, said: "I noticed the site seems to have been sprayed recently and comprehensively with some form of chemical weedkiller.
"The vegetation that had been flourishing at the site is now dead and brown.
READ MORE: Travis Perkins set for Broadland Gate Trade Park
"I am extremely concerned that if this is the case, as any biodiversity at the site will have been severely damaged.
"If a chemical has been used it will enter the water courses nearby, particularly as we've had heavy rain recently.
"If chemicals have been sprayed on it, it's not possible to stop them from being spread externally.
READ MORE: Blofield Primary School plans for new £12m project
"The land nearby is regularly used by dog walkers, is home to a variety of wildlife and the adjacent Belmore Plantation is earmarked for use as a recreational woodland area."
The derelict site had previously been subject to break-ins and vandalism, and firefighters spent two hours tackling a fire inside the building in December 2019.
Councillor Laming added: "I find this loss of vegetation worrying, as more emphasis is being put on people to allow the growth of grassland and vegetation, to encourage the survival of pollinators at a time when biodiversity in the UK is severely under threat."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here