By Cheryl Wood and Charlene Wilson

A NUMBER of employees at two Fife construction firms are being made redundant due to the downturn in the housing market resulting from the credit crunch.

Torith, which is based at Drumoig, said upwards of 20 people in its civil and plant teams were being paid off. Some of those affected in the 180-strong workforce are long-term employees.

Thornton firm Thomas Mitchell Homes has confirmed speculation job cuts had been made but the company declined to disclose how many employees had been affected.

Private housing construction forms only a small part of Torith’s business and the firm stated its general construction teams were still in demand.

Managing director Ian Mathers told The Courier, “Our general construction teams are busy on a variety of projects throughout Fife and Tayside for a strong client list. This includes hospital extensions and refurbishments in Dundee and Perth and essential works for both Abertay and St Andrews universities.

“We are also bringing to a successful conclusion the prestigious campus apartments for students at Horsewater Wynd, opposite the entrance to the University of Dundee, and are the contractor on the innovative Hydrogen Office project in Methil.”

But he added, “The recent downturn in housing infrastructure has particularly impacted on the civil and plant teams and resulted in notices of redundancy for a number of employees in these departments.

“This has, unfortunately, affected a number of longer-term employees in addition to the normal adjustments that can be required as specific contracts come to a completion.

“The requirement to align our skills and resources with the needs of our varied market is a characteristic of the construction and development industry and we, along with our competitors, are regularly required to respond to the varied needs of specific projects.”

Alen Mitchell, group chief executive at Thomas Mitchell Homes, confirmed speculation that job cuts had been made but would not disclose how many employees were involved.

“We have reluctantly taken this action. However, given the current market place we have acted to ensure the future growth of the business and this also allows ourselves to be better placed to take advantage of the market when it recovers, as it will do.”

These latest job losses in Fife come after major housebuilders including Taylor Wimpey, Barratts Developments, Bovis Homes and Redrow announced around 7000 redundancies in total this month because of a downturn in market demand.

THE CREDIT CRUNCH has hit the UK housing market.

Have you had trouble selling your home? Have you encountered problems due to the knock-on effects of the difficulties in the mortgage industry? Have you found yourself in a negative equity situation?

If so, Email The Courier newsdesk—courier@dcthomson.co.uk or call 01382 575290. You can also contact us if you have any story to tell.