112 homes on way at former Chubb factory site

The complex in Woden Road was demolished after severe flooding left it badly damaged.

Now, the Accord Group wants to build 112 properties including 21 apartments and 91 two, three and four bedroom houses at the site.

Site owners Gunnebo, a Swedish firm, moved its staff from the building three years ago to other sites in Wednesfield and Willenhall as well as its head office at Pendeford Business Park following the rain damage.

Under the new plans homes would be made available for social rent and the development would include a total of 158 parking spaces.

Despite being in Wednesfield, the Woden Road site falls into the Heath Town district.

Milkinder Jaspal, who represents the ward and is also the former mayor of Wolverhampton council, said he welcomed the proposals.

He said: "I think this is good news. There has been quite a lot of development which has improved the area recently and this will add to that.

"These proposals are to be welcomed because there is a need for housing and you can't do better than using this site.

"It is quality homes as well being proposed, modern. Just what the city needs to help with its remodelling.

"It is an efficient use of land and an efficient use of resources."

The old factory was the site of workers protests soon after Gunnebo took over the plant and announced job losses.

Up to 2,000 Chubb workers staged a surprise 30-minute walkout.

Plans for 69 homes on the site were waved through by Wolverhampton council in 2012.

Fifty-two of those properties were to be four-bedroom homes, while the remaining 17 would have three bedrooms.

But the plans never took off.

Chubb Locks have a long history with Wolverhampton, having had the company based in the city since 1818.

The firm's headquarters was the purpose built factory on Railway Street, now known as the Chubb Building.