Last remnants of Wolverhampton's Chubb factory face transformation

A plan to build new homes on one of the few remaining parts of an historic factory has been approved. 

The former bowling green at the now demolished Gunnebo site in Woden Road, Heath Town, Wolverhampton, will be used to build 11 new homes after a planning application was granted approval by City of Wolverhampton Council. 

The factory off Woden Road was home to Chubbs Safes before the company was sold nearly 25 years ago.

More than 100 homes have already been built on the factory site in recent years with the historic city firm’s former bowling green one of the few remaining parts to remain untouched.

The fenced-off patch of overgrown grass would be used for three and four-bed homes according to the application by Rupinder Kaur from Dyal Homes. 

A move to build 15 flats and homes was approved in 2025 but was later redrawn over concerns it was cramped.

A report outlining the approval said: “The principle of residential development on the site has already been established through the grant of planning permission in 2025 for the erection of 15 dwellings, which remains extant. 

“The current proposal is broadly comparable in terms of its scale, layout and overall character, and is therefore afforded significant weight in the assessment of the acceptability of redevelopment of the site. 

“The application site comprises the former Chubb Factory bowling green and associated car park. 

“Through previous applications and supporting evidence, it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that the recreational facility is no longer required at this location. 

“Furthermore, the applicant has agreed to make an appropriate off-site financial contribution towards the enhancement of nearby sports and recreational facilities. 

“In these circumstances, the loss of the existing facility is considered acceptable and the redevelopment of this previously developed site for residential purposes accords with the objectives of the development plan to make effective use of land and deliver additional housing.”

A move to build housing on the land was first made in 2019 but the council said it remained an “active recreational facility.” 

The green’s pavilion was demolished in 2021 as it was in a “very poor state” and over fears it was a fire risk. 

According to the application, City of Wolverhampton Council had approached Gunnebo Safe Storage UK in 2022 over plans to turn the former bowling green into a skate park as part of ‘legacy’ work for that year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham following a peak in interest.

However, the work never got off the ground and stayed empty. 

A year later the council said the patch of grass was still not being used, the site was “redundant” and there was no interest from either the local authority or the local community in using it for sport. 

The site did, however, start to attract the interest of vandals with it becoming a hotspot for anti-social behaviour. 

The safe-making side of Chubb was sold to Swedish firm Assa Abloy in 2000 which then passed on the business to Gunnebo. 

Months later the firm closed the safe works in Wolverhampton with 170 staff made redundant. 

Gunnebo said the factory was “too big” for its business after much of the manufacturing side moved to new premises in Willenhall and Wednesfield with the main offices eventually moving to Pendeford Business Park.