Vistry and Inspired Villages Top Out Final 54 Apartments at Elderswell Retirement Community in Turvey, Bedfordshire

TURVEY, Bedfordshire — May 28, 2026 — Vistry and Inspired Villages have marked the topping out of the final 54 apartments at Elderswell, an integrated retirement community in Turvey, Bedfordshire, signaling a key construction milestone in the expansion of the over-65s development. The occasion was marked on site with a team photograph and hot food for construction workers, with the new apartments arranged around Elderswell's existing village centre and shared facilities.

Phase 1, completed in 2022, delivered 76 homes alongside a gym, restaurant, café, and wellness spaces. The addition of 54 Phase 2 apartments brings the community's total to 130 units across both phases. Construction of the Phase 2 apartments is due to complete in early 2027.

A Milestone in Age-Appropriate Housing Delivery

Elderswell is designed as an integrated retirement community for residents aged 65 and over, allowing them to live independently while remaining connected to shared amenities and services.

Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry South East Midlands, said: "Topping out the final apartments at Elderswell is an important milestone for this development and for the delivery of much-needed specialist housing in Bedfordshire. We're proud to be working with Inspired Villages on a scheme in Turvey that will provide high-quality homes for older people and help create a thriving, sustainable community."

Reynolds added: "We're excited to be leading the way in meeting the requirements of those needing this type of accommodation when housing is in such high demand. These much-needed new homes will be built to an exceptional standard to create a thriving and sustainable community."

Martin McGread, Project Manager at Inspired Villages, said: "Today's topping out ceremony has been a great opportunity to celebrate progress and thank all the teams helping to deliver Phase 2 of Elderswell. The positive collaboration between everyone involved in the construction and development of the site has been fantastic to see, and it will result in much-needed additional homes for the over-65s to rent or buy in Turvey and the surrounding area."

Net-Zero Construction and Modern Methods

The Elderswell scheme incorporates a range of low-carbon and environmental features. Modern methods of construction (MMC) have been employed to reduce waste and carbon emissions during the build process. The scheme also integrates ground source heat pumps, solar panels, LED lighting, electric vehicle charging points, and FSC-certified timber as part of its net-zero carbon ambitions.

Biodiversity measures have been embedded across the site, including bat roosting features, bird nesting provisions, beehives, and habitats designed for reptiles and hedgehogs, alongside structured green spaces.

Outlook

With construction of the final 54 apartments due to complete in early 2027, Elderswell is on track to reach its full 130-unit scale within the next year. The completed community will offer homes available for both rent and purchase, targeting over-65s in Turvey and the surrounding Bedfordshire area.

Sources: Vistry Group Press Release, May 28, 2026