A senior councillor has called for a derelict hospital on the outskirts of the city to be knocked down after it suffered a devastating fire last month.
Ian Mackie said that St Andrew’s Hospital - which was the target of a suspected arsonist attack in October - poses a danger as it has become a hotspot for break-ins and vandalism.
Along with wanting tighter security, Mr Mackie is urging for the building to be demolished “before there’s a loss of life”.
The hospital in Thorpe St Andrew has remained empty since it stopped operating in 1998.
Despite the Lind Trust, which owns the building, getting permission for 12,750sqm of office space in 2016, work has failed to start.
Other sections of the old hospital have been redeveloped into houses and offices.
Mr Mackie, county councillor for Thorpe St Andrew, said the recent fire has drawn further attention to the site and “that now makes it an even greater concern for the safety of those with unauthorised access”.
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He added: "They are seriously putting themselves in harm’s way. My advice is to just think and keep out.
"I believe that the owners now have a responsibility to fully secure this site.
"The all too familiar pattern will probably take place and the demolition will be the conclusion of this sorry saga.
“In many respects that is now the safest option before there’s a loss of life."
The Lind Trust declined to comment when asked for an update on its plans for the site.
Jonathan Emsell, Broadland district councillor for Thorpe St Andrew, has expressed frustration with the trust.
He said: "The trust has owned the site for many years but has not engaged with local councillors or the town council about its plans.
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"Originally it was meant to be a site for office buildings but since the pandemic that seems unlikely.
"I always wanted to see the old cricket ground area of the site kept as a sports project.
"Although anything that happens on site is down to the owners, we just hope they consult those locally elected to represent residents about plans.
"They obviously need to secure the site as a priority, to ensure people’s safety."
A spokesman for Norfolk police confirmed October's incident is being treated as arson but no arrests have yet been made.
A history of St Andrew's Hospital
In 1808, the ‘Act for Better Care and Maintenance of Lunatics’ saw a number of large asylums built across the country.
St Andrew's Asylum, which was also known as the Norfolk Lunatic Asylum, is said to be one of the earliest of its kind, dating back to the Victorian era.
Extra buildings were added to the asylum in 1876 costing a total of £33,920, allowing the hospital to accommodate 250 more patients than the original capacity.
During its working history the asylum went under a number of different names: Norfolk County Asylum (1814-1915), Norfolk War Hospital (1915-1919), Norfolk Mental Hospital (1919-1923), St Andrew‘s Hospital (1923 – 1998).
It operated as an NHS mental health hospital until it closed in April 1998.
The south side of the site was then developed into private housing earlier this century.
The remaining Grade II listed site was later purchased by Graham Dacre's Lind Trust and plans to redevelop the premises into office space were approved by Broadland District Council in 2016.
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