ANGRY residents have hit out at the council over claims their flats were ‘better off demolished’.

Plans had been proposed to extend Alexandra Court on Alexandra Road, Weymouth, but they were thrown out.

The building already has 22 flats and plans were for seven new flats to be built.

Residents who live in the flat had proposed the plans as a solution to an on-going damp problem as well as to provide lifts to the upper floors.

Director of the Management Committee at Alexandra Court, John Williams, 80, said: “I was absolutely livid and came home and was really annoyed.”

The elderly residents of the flats say they are angry at comments made at the planning meeting that it could have been better to demolish the buildings and start again as they say it makes their buildings sound slum-like and instantly reduces their value.

Resident Pearl Steans, 88, said: “It’s downright disgusting, they are beautiful buildings.”

Betty Morton, 78, said: “We’re disappointed, residents are getting older and we need a lift and we need to secure the damp.”

She added: “We’re all really annoyed about it. We can’t believe what they’ve said. We’re disgusted. We all like living here we all look after each other.”

Second-floor resident, Jean Corner, 81, said she was angry at even the idea of pulling down the flats.

She said: “I think it’s very remiss. What are they going to do, put us out on the street? It’s ridiculous.”

She added: “A lift in the building would be lovely, I’d like it for carrying my shopping.”

Eira Williams said: “These new flats would have put an end to the damp problem and would look nice at the end.”

Mr Williams, who has lived in the flats for 11 years, said he is not going to give up and met the designers on Tuesday to look at redesigning and resubmitting the proposals. The council strenuously denies that anyone made a suggestion that the houses were slum-like.

Councillor for Transport and Infrastructure Christ-ine James said that at no time during the meeting was the implication made that the buildings were slums. She said: “I went with the recommendation of the report and voted against the plans.

“The proposed building didn’t look right and it didn’t fit in with the surroundings.”

“Why aren’t residents asking where their maintenance charge has gone over the years? If there’s a leaking roof why hasn’t it been sorted out over the years? It’s not happened overnight.”

At present residents pay £500 a year in maintenance charges – a figure they believe could be reduced if the work is done.

A spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said: “As the planning authority we have to be impartial and so we cannot make any more comments as planning consent was denied.”