Demolition has begun on the former Legge factory in Willenhall as part of a council-led initiative to clear derelict brownfield sites and create space for new housing.

Work on the site, located on Moat Street, started in January 2026.

The Legge factory, which dates back to the 1800s, was once a major lock-making firm in Willenhall, employing around 400 people by the mid-1990s before becoming part of the Ingersoll-Rand group producing architectural furniture. The factory closed in the early 2000s and has remained vacant since, falling into disrepair and becoming a centre for antisocial behaviour, including arson attacks that caused significant structural damage.

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Following a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) completed in 2025, Walsall Council has taken ownership of several derelict sites across the area, including properties on Moat Street, Villiers Street, Newhall Street, Temple Bar, Cemetery Road and Stafford Street. The Legge factory is the first of these sites to be cleared.

The council plans to redevelop the area to provide much-needed homes for general market sale across a range of affordability levels. The initiative aims to support Walsall in meeting government housing targets, reduce antisocial behaviour, and create safer, cleaner, and more welcoming streets for local residents.

The demolition marks a major step forward in the borough's long-term strategy to tackle neglected properties and regenerate key parts of Willenhall, paving the way for new housing and community-focused developments.