Irish-headquartered firm Bennett Construction has been appointed to deliver two substantial residential projects in the Southeast of England.

Appointed by Octopus Capital, a prominent specialist real estate lender and investor in the UK, the contracts marks a significant advance in their development pipeline, underscoring its momentum in transforming the retirement living sector.

At the Headley Court scheme, Octopus Capital has named Bennett Construction as the main works contractor for the delivery of 100 newly built apartments and houses in Surrey, starting this quarter. This is a critical step in converting the historic Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre into a state-of-the-art retirement village.

The development, which spans a 23-acre site near Leatherhead, is a partnership between Audley Group, the Pension Insurance Corporation ("PIC"), and Octopus Capital. The plans include the construction of 12 two-bedroom apartments within a redeveloped Grade II-listed historic mansion house. Octopus Capital is currently in the process of selecting a second contractor to oversee this refurbishment and establish the central village amenities, meticulously restoring the historic structure for contemporary use.

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Following the successful completion of enabling works by Morrisroe, Bennett Construction has also been chosen as the preferred contractor for an additional 100-unit new-build retirement living scheme in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with a programme duration of approximately 81 weeks. Developed in collaboration with Elysian Residences, this scheme will establish a retirement community designed to support active, independent lifestyles while ensuring high-level care options are available as required.

The decision to appoint Bennett Construction for both schemes reflects the firm's established reputation for executing complex, high-quality developments, aligning with Octopus Capital's objective to deliver senior living communities that cater to the evolving demands of modern retirees.

Marcus Adam, Development Director at Octopus Capital, commented on the appointment: "We are determined to tackle the UK's chronic undersupply of specialist housing for older people by accelerating the delivery of thoughtfully designed, service-led retirement communities. At a time when planning delays and market headwinds are stalling projects across the industry, we're proud to be pushing forward. In Bennett Construction, we have found the right partner to drive this ambition forward at pace, creating over 200 new homes and demonstrating that progress is possible even in a challenging landscape."

Mark Keyes, Director at Bennett Construction, expressed his satisfaction: "We are extremely pleased to have been chosen by Octopus Capital to lead the creation of two significant retirement living projects. Building on our solid reputation in the later-living sector, Headley Court and Henley-on-Thames offer a distinct opportunity to create two more premium, luxury-focused retirement communities. We look forward to collaborating closely with all our partners to guide these landmark projects from their initial concept through to successful completion."