Winchester Homes of Bethesda, Maryland plans to lay off nearly 60 people by April 10th.

Steve Nardella, senior veep with Winchester, confirmed the plans, but declined to say how many workers will remain with the company after the layoffs.

The home builder sold just 21 homes from January through June of 2008, down from 45 during the same period in 2007. The company does not plan to start construction on any new projects this year, though it is working with local governments on a handful of projects in the development stage.

Winchester is also trying to sell off some of its excess inventory, which includes new homes in Poolesville, Silver Spring, and in Oak Hill, Virginia.

Ranked 13th among Greater Baltimore home builders, Winchester has developed residential communities.