Orbit has announced the end of merger talks with troubled Essex-based Swan.

The 47,000-home association had been in talks with Swan about merging to create a 60,000-home provider, following Swan’s regulatory standard breach last year.

However, in a short statement today, an Orbit spokesperson said: “Orbit Group has confirmed that following a lengthy and detailed due diligence process, partnership discussions with Swan Housing Association have ceased.” Neither Orbit nor Swan have commented on the reasons for the talks ending.

Talks opened with Orbit about a potential merger last December after the Regulator of Social Housing found Swan to be non-compliant with the governance and financial viability standard.