Redundancies are possible at a Diss building business with the downturn in the housing market forcing the firms' directors to “consider their trading position”.

Redundancies are possible at a Diss building business with the downturn in the housing market forcing the firms' directors to “consider their trading position”.

G N Rackham & Sons is in consultation with its 32-strong workforce. In a statement the firm said: “At this stage it isn't clear how many jobs will go as no decision has been reached.

“It is with deep regret that the current economic climate and housing market is forcing the directors to consider their trading position.

“The new housing market has been badly hit by the credit crunch and economic climate. It is reported that house building levels are at their lowest since 1945 and sites are being shut up all over the country.

“It is proposed by the Greater Norwich Development Partnership that 80pc of South Norfolk's housing allocation will go to the Norwich outskirts, which will leave few houses to be built in Diss, Harleston and the other more rural areas.

“We have traditionally had two thirds of our staff on new build properties and have specialised in property development, particularly in Diss and the surrounding rural area.”

The statement added: “The directors would stress that no decision has yet been made and that we are in consultations with our workforce. We would like to reassure our customers that for the time being we are open for business as usual.”

The fifth generation family business celebrated 120 years of trading last year.