<p>Linden Homes chief executive Philip Davies has announced shareholders’ plans to sell off the privately owned housebuilder before the year is out. Davies was awaiting offers as Housebuilder went to press. </p> <p>He said: “Initial offers are due early this month (October) and the next round of bids will be in mid November. We want to complete the sale by the end of the year.” Several volume housebuilders are thought to have approached Linden following its announcement that Rothschild bank had been brought in to draw up plans to find a buyer. Davies said: “We’re very keen to see it sold to one of the private equity houses or one of the growing smaller groups that would retain the people.“But of course if a bigger housebuilder were to make the best offer, it would be difficult not to accept.” </p> <p>Davies and chairman Andrew Sells jointly own 20% of the company; 32% is owned by HBOS, with the remaining shares owned by 60 of Linden’s directors. “Back in 2000 we told our shareholders we would endeavour to buy back their shares after five to seven years,” added Davies. “It’s now the end of year six so the timing is right.” …