Bennett Construction has been appointed by investor Octopus Capital to deliver two major retirement living schemes in Surrey and Oxfordshire, totalling more than 200 apartments. The contractor will lead the main works at Headley Court in Surrey and has been named preferred contractor for a new-build scheme in Henley-on-Thames.
At the former Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, near Leatherhead, Bennett will construct 100 new retirement apartments on the 23-acre site. The project also includes 12 two-bedroom apartments within the Grade II-listed mansion, which will be redeveloped as part of plans to create a retirement village. Octopus Capital is appointing a separate contractor to handle the listed building refurbishment and deliver the central village facilities.
In Henley-on-Thames, Bennett has been selected as preferred contractor for a further 100-unit retirement living development, following completion of an enabling works package by Morrisroe. The scheme, being delivered in partnership with Elysian Residences, is designed to support active, independent later living with higher-level care available as required.
Construction at Henley is scheduled to start in January 2026, with an 81-week programme pencilled in. Together, the two projects underline Bennett’s growing workload in the later-living sector and form part of Octopus Capital’s push to expand the supply of specialist housing for older people despite wider market and planning headwinds.
