Demolition to begin at Holly Court, Dorchester Road

The demolition of Holly Court on Dorchester Road is set to start in the summer  with new flats to be built on the site.

Holly Court's roof was left severely damaged in 2022, following Storm Eunice.

Pensioners living in the flats at that time were forced into accommodation elsewhere as a result of the significant roof damage. 

All of the former residents have now moved out and plans are now progressing.

Holly Court (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Several residents had campaigned to keep the existing building, which was finished in 1973, but Anchor Housing, which owns the site, claimed the option is not viable, compounded by the presence of asbestos.

The demolition will make way for 34 one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom flats for social rent for those aged over 55, with communal facilities including a lounge with kitchenette for social activities and purpose-built storage for scooters.

CGI's of the new Holly Court development (Image: Anchor)

It is anticipated that the works will be completed in 2025 after planning permission was granted last year.

Elderly residents who were forced to leave Holly Court faced months of upheaval with some moving around multiple times between temporary lodgings. 

One of the last residents to leave the flats, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “This was inevitable. Most of us are settled where we are now. A few do want to go back – but it won’t be the same.”

The resident who is in her 80s has moved to another retirement housing complex in the Weymouth area.

She said: “It’s a bit different, but there is not as much of a community. What we had at Holly Court will never exist again – everybody looked after everybody, it was such a close-knit community.

“I think it was disgusting the way we were treated – I’m sure they didn’t understand what we were going through.”

The resident lived at the court for 23 years in what was supposed to be her ‘forever home.’

Part of the demolition works will involve a full Health and Safety Executive compliant strip-out of asbestos, a substance which can cause cancer.

Holly Court (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

READ MORE: Retirement complex to be demolished and replaced with flats

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Nick Hodgskin, Senior Development Manager for Anchor said: “We are delighted that we can now make a start on redeveloping Holly Court after we carried out a full and detailed assessment of the options available.

"Redeveloping the site allows us to provide homes which are fit for purpose, creating more and better affordable housing for older people.”

Anchor is working alongside local building company C G Fry and Son to complete the development.

Mike Pinney, Contracting Director of CG Fry and Son said: ‘We are delighted to be working in partnership with Anchor and the project team, providing much needed high quality and sustainable homes for the local community.”