HELENA Housing has won support for its plans to merge with neighbouring Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT).

The two registered social landlords want to combine their departments to form one large group.

Helena would retain its own identity as would Warrington-based GGHT and they would be run as two different organisations under the parent group, Torus.

Earlier this year all Helena tenants and lease-holders were asked for their views and 71 per cent of those who responded were in support of the plans while a small number had reservations or questions.

The idea of the two trusts merging came about last November as they started to review combining operations.

If the partnership goes ahead, the new group would own 22,000 homes, employ around 1,000 people and have a joint turnover of £100 million, making it one of the largest housing groups in the north

west and a key north west regeneration partner.

Councillor Richard McCauley, St Helens Council's cabinet member for regeneration, housing, planning and community safety, said: "I'm very much in favour of this proposal. The two organisations have similar cultures.

"It will enable the building of more good quality affordable housing than if the organisations remain separate.

"It should save on management costs and free up more money to spend on construction, employment and apprenticeships."

Helena Chief Executive, Rob Young, said: "The benefits of forming a group are compelling – 900 new homes in St Helens, thousands of jobs for local people across the region and a stronger business that will continue to invest in its services.

"It's great to see so many customers in support of our proposed plans for the future. The final decision is still a while off with a formal approval process going on behind the scenes."

He added: "Helena Partnerships and GGHT will continue to be known in their role as housing association landlords providing local and trusted services to local people. They will be the key parts of the new proposed group, to be known as Torus."