Elderly residents are unsure about their future after being forced out of their homes for the last five months.

Pensioners living in Holly Court on Dorchester Road were forced out of their homes after Storm Eunice caused significant damage to the roof back in February.

Residents have been moved all across Dorset with one lady, Cynthia Mullane, having to move six times in five months across Weymouth, Dorchester and even a few weeks at a Premier Inn.

Ms Mullane said: “In five months, I’ve had six different addresses, it’s just dreadful and so stressful, we still don’t know what’s happening.

“It’s just me and my dogs but this was meant to be a permanent home, I thought it was forever.”

"I lost everything"

Margaret Tovey, 87, has also been moved around multiple times spending seven weeks at the Royal Hotel, Weymouth and is now living in Bridport for the time being.

Ms Tovey said: “I don’t see my family, it’s very lonely, I’ve lived in Weymouth for 30 years, two years in Holly Court, it’s been very stressful and my blood pressure is up, which my doctor said is due to stress - It’s very upsetting.”

Residents have been told that they will receive £7000 in compensation payment but are unable to find anywhere to live in Weymouth.

One of the top-floor residents, Mike Chapman, 67, lost all of his belongings due to damage from damp.

He said: “I lost everything.

“They dropped a bombshell, telling us we all have to leave, it’s affected us all and our mental health - when I’m at home I can’t sleep, I’m not eating.”

A resident that wanted to remain anonymous said: “I’ve been here 21 years, but I’m in the side of the building that’s staying open.

“We are a community in this building, but at the moment that has been completely destroyed.”

The property currently requires £1.2million of expenditure to replace the roof following the storm and the internal damage caused which won’t happen for at least a year.

Residents have been told, if they are already living in Anchor accommodation, they can make that more permanent. But those who are stuck in holiday accommodation have been told that they will need to move somewhere else as soon as possible and that individual meetings will take place to discuss requirements and concerns: however this accommodation may not be in Weymouth.

"Sorry for the distress"

Sue Howes, Area Manager for Holly Court, said: “We apologise to residents for the inconvenience and distress this has caused. Holly Court sustained significant damage following Storm Eunice. We took immediate action to safeguard the building and ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of residents at the location. Residents were decanted from their properties and were offered suitable alternative accommodation while remedial works were carried out. Further structural investigations whilst remedial works were being undertaken have revealed Holly Court requires significant investment beyond repairing the roof, to make the building safe.

“We regularly review all of our locations looking at financial viability, the investment required and the needs of current and potential customers, both now and in the future. The scale of the damage means a review of this nature has been undertaken here. Permanent options are being sought for decanted residents to provide them with stability whilst decisions are taken on the long-term future of Holly Court. We are continuing to update residents via letters and meetings, working closely with them to understand their needs, including financial support. The wellbeing of our residents remains paramount.”