Holly Court to be demolished and replaced with flats

It comes after current and previous residents of the close-knit community of Holly Court on Dorchester Road were invited to a meeting to inform them of plans for the property that suffered significant roof damage from Storm Eunice in February 2022.

Many have already moved out but some folk had hoped work could be done to save the building.

But following investigations the owner, housing provider Anchor, has been exploring options for redeveloment. It has now confirmed it intends to demolish the building - and hopes to submit a planning application this year.

Because asbestos is present the firm said there would be a survey 'to ensure full and safe removal' before the building is knocked down.

Anchor had offered residents alternative accommodation at its other sites, but there was nothing available locally and many have moved to other places in Dorset and some as far away as Plymouth and Leicester.

Others were put in temporary accommodation across Dorset with one woman, Cynthia Mullane, having to move six times in five months across Weymouth, Dorchester and even staying at a Premier Inn.

A resident in her 80s, one of around five other people still living at Holly Court, until she can find alternative accommodation, said: “They’re going to knock it down and build it back up again, there’s no thinking about people, just business.

“It’s not just a building, it’s a community – we all helped each other and spoke to each other, but it’s only a phone call to keep in touch with each other.”

The resident, who has lived at Holly Court for 22 years, added: “I stay here for reasons like being near the hospital and it’s not been an easy time at all.”

Her family also live in Weymouth, so she is keen to stay in the area.

She said the housing provider had asked residents to return once works have finished but she fears many will settle down elsewhere.

"We never even had a sorry,” the resident said.

Rowena Hindle, Operations Manager for Anchor said: “Holly Court, Weymouth was badly affected by Storm Eunice, with significant damage sustained to the roof. We took immediate action to safeguard the building and ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of residents. Affected residents were decanted from their properties and were supported to move to alternative accommodation.

“Following further investigations, the decision was taken to explore redeveloping the site. In August 2022, we met with residents to discuss this with them. As both the repair and redevelopment options would require residents to move out, we have been gradually re-housing people for the past few months. There are a few residents currently at Holly Court, and we are working with them to find suitable alternative accommodation. 

“(In April) we held a meeting with residents and informed them of Anchor’s intention to redevelop the site. Our intention at this stage is to demolish the existing site and create 37 apartments with a targeted completion by summer 2025. We are still in the process of completing surveys and detailed design work and have not submitted a planning application which we hope to do later this year. The meeting gave residents a chance to share their thoughts.

“We are aware from our on-going management surveys that asbestos is present in Holly Court, which is common in most buildings constructed before 1980 - part of the demolition works will involve a full Health and Safety Executive compliant strip-out of any asbestos containing material and a full survey of the building will take place prior to this to ensure full and safe removal is completed prior to the building being demolished."