<p>Laing O'Rourke has halted work on all future phases of developments of its housebuilding arm Explore Living for at least two years until the market improves. </p><p> </p> <p></p> <p>Employees of the firm will be transferred to other LOR divisions as work is completed but there will be a "handful of redundancies" said a spokesperson. Managing director Karl Pickering and chairman Paul Healey will leave the firm. </p><p> </p> <p></p> <p>Only current phases already underway will be completed. "All future phases on these sites, plus development sites owned by Explore Living where construction work has not started, will be paused," said the spokesperson. "Work will not recommence until consumer confidence returns to the UK housing market, and greater certainty exists regarding the sales prospects for these developments. We expect this period of inactivity to extend for a minimum of two years as the government's austerity measures and the scarcity of mortgage lending continue to suppress housing demand." </p><p> </p> <p></p> <p>The Group says it is confident about the strength of its portfolio of mixed developments in "desirable areas" in the south east as the market recovers. </p><p> </p> <p></p> <p>Latest figures at Companies House for Explore to March 2011 showed …