The former council offices at North Quay site will be demolished to make way for about 90 flats for older people including affordable homes.

Announcing the way forward for the landmark site – which has stood empty for more than two years – Weymouth and Portland Borough Council says it will be teaming up with housing group Magna to redevelop the land.

Residents have been waiting for months to hear what the council will do with the eyesore site after Acorn South’s vision failed to progress.

The borough council was based at North Quay for more than 40 years but moved out to save money.

Jeff Cant, council leader and Briefholder for Finance & Assets, said the idea is that the homes built there would be for older people (50+) as Magna has identified a need.

He hoped the design would be similar or at least influenced in part by the adjoining McCarthy & Stone development.

It is hoped the former offices can be pulled down and an outline planning application submitted by the time the council is abolished in April. The new Dorset Council would then oversee the project.

The flats would be a mixture, with some for sale, some for rent and some offered under shared equity.

There would also be some commercial space, possibly a café.

Cllr Cant said: “I am delighted to confirm that the borough council has decided to work with Magna Housing to secure the redevelopment of North Quay.

“This is a key part of our masterplan to regenerate Weymouth town centre, alongside our ambitious proposals for the Weymouth Peninsula site.

“The borough council is keen to ensure the redevelopment of the site provides parking as well as residential units.

“We have looked at a range of options, but believe progressing the development with Magna gives us the best opportunity to leave a legacy that will be of real benefit to the borough.

“It will also help the council to secure additional grant funding from central government to cover some of the costs associated with the development.”

Cllr Cant said details of the scheme are yet to be worked up and there will be public consultation as part of the planning process.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Briefholder for Housing said: “This is fantastic news for Weymouth and I think the best possible way the site could be developed.”

“We are in need of more homes for our residents to live in, this is why we launched our Opening Doors Programme.”

“As part of this programme, we have started a Home Ownership Register to learn more about housing demand and find out the size and locations of homes that people want. As part of this we also forward on details of upcoming developments and opportunities to own a home.

“I would recommend anyone looking to own their own home to sign up to the register.”

Officers will now start work to prepare a planning application to demolish the offices at North Quay.

The council is applying for grant funding from Homes England to help fund the costs of preparing the site for redevelopment.

David Aldwinckle, Property Director at Magna Housing, said: “Magna is pleased to have the opportunity to develop on this important site to provide new, affordable homes for the local community.”

The borough council moved out of the North Quay offices in 2016.

The developer Acorn South was the council’s preferred buyer for the site and contracts were exchanged.

Controversially, Acorn proposed to convert the offices into homes, rather than knocking down the eyesore block and building something new in its place.

But the firm declined to complete the sale and the contract was rescinded, prompting Acorn to announce it was going to sue the authority for misrepresentation because it understood it would get planning permission for converting the offices when the deal was agreed.

A costly court case was avoided when both parties reached a settlement earlier this year.

The decision ended Acorn’s involvement in North Quay and freed up the council to progress with fresh redevelopment plans for the flagship regeneration site.