ANGRY residents have aired safety fears after a social housing association sprayed a controversial chemical weedkiller in Newquay on Friday.

They have highlighted objections following Ocean Housing using glyphosate around plants and bushes near Newquay Fire Station on Tregunnel Hill due to concerns the substance is a significant risk to human and pet health as well as the ecology.

Ocean Housing admitted to using glyphosate and says it has explored a range of alternative methods, which have “unfortunately” proven to be “ineffective.”

But residents have argued the chemical weedkiller should not be used es especially as the area is near to allotments and the Gannel Estuary.

It follows Cornwall Council voting to pause the Cabinet’s decision to use glyphosate weedkiller in diluted drop form on roads and pavements to allow for greater consultation to take place after a public backlash.

Mayor Drew Creek said: “The message from Cornwall Council was clear and unambiguous.

“This community has spoken loudly on this issue and that voice was heard with a strong majority vote.

“For Ocean Housing to respond that Cornwall Council's position "doesn't apply to them" completely misses the point.

“This isn't just about policy jurisdiction, this is about the health of our residents, our pets, our children and our environment in Newquay.

“I will be contacting Ocean Housing directly and formally to request an immediate suspension of glyphosate use across their Newquay properties while this matter is reviewed.

“Housing associations have a duty of care to their residents and the wider community, and I would expect Ocean Housing to take that seriously.

“The people of Newquay have made their feelings on this abundantly clear. I will not let that be ignored.”

Jitinder Takhar, chief executive of Ocean Housing, said: "At present, our grounds maintenance team do use a weed control product where the active ingredient is glyphosate.

“We have explored a range of alternative methods for a number of years now; but these have unfortunately proven to be ineffective in maintaining safe and accessible communal areas.

“That said, we haven't given up and are continuously looking at alternative methods to improve our practices.

“This year, we are trialling a new heat-treatment approach as a potential option.

“We can assure residents that, until we find a suitable alternative, we take great care to prevent any unnecessary impact on surrounding gardens and wildlife by controlling applications and avoiding spray drift.

“The weed control is always diluted to the lowest recommended concentration and applied using a targeted “spot treatment” method.

“This makes sure that treatment is only carried out minimally where weeds are present, rather than across whole surfaces.

“We understand the importance of protecting local wildlife and the environment, and all operatives who carry out weed control are fully trained and certified.

“Our approach is designed to strike a balance between maintaining clean, accessible communal spaces and minimising ecological impact through careful, limited, and controlled use of products.

“With regard to safety, once applied and dried, the weed control poses very low risk to people and pets."