Sarsen on course to form group structure

Sarsen will become part of the newly formed Silbury Group, if the Housing Corporation approves of the change. Sarsen will apply to the corporation in March and hopes to get formal approval in the summer.

The group will include charitable housing association Ridgeway Community Housing Association – which will take on Sarsen's care arm and Kennet Care and Repair – and commercial services firm Silbury First, which includes Sarsen's direct labour organisation, old people's helpline and market renting business.

Setting up a charitable arm will also allow the group to pay less corporation tax which it intends to invest in community projects.

Chief executive Richard Kitson said: "We will be able to develop community and other services with the money converted from other parts of the organisation."

Kitson said the group would be looking for backing from Sarsen's current lenders.