A colourful L&G umbrella with a curved handle stands upright in a sunlit woodland clearing, surrounded by a dense carpet of blooming bluebells and vibrant green foliage.

Pudding Wood, Surrey

Transforming 155 hectares of low-grade agricultural land in southern England to new woodland and biodiverse habitats designed to sequester carbon dioxide and increase biodiversity over the long term.

About the project

The UK is now one of the most nature depleted countries on Earth¹, and the impacts are increasingly being felt – from flooding to air and water pollution.

To combat the risks arising from climate change and nature loss, new opportunities are emerging around nature-based solutions.

L&G has expertise in developing real assets such as affordable housing. We are now building on this expertise by developing nature-based solutions.

Our aim is to demonstrate through Pudding Wood that we can invest in the development of high-quality biodiversity and carbon credits, while also delivering positive outcomes for local communities.

February 2026, Community update

Tree Planting

We are now well on the way with the planting of trees at Pudding Wood despite the weather. The majority of planting has been concentrated in the northern part of the site – but works will start to move towards Charlwood this month. You should be able to see the planting from the farm tracks. Trees are placed in tubes made of recycled plastic. These protect the trees from deer and rodent attack. The tubes will be removed after approximately 5 years.

We are also starting works on fencing. Fencing is necessary to keep deer out of some of the larger areas. This will be a 1.8 metre fence. The fence will also be removed once the trees have sufficiently matured.

All works are being undertaken by Ground Control, our appointed forestry contractor.

Rows of young tree saplings protected by light green tubes stretch across a muddy field under an overcast sky, with woodland visible in the distance.

Footpath Closure

We have applied to Surrey County Council to temporarily close a footpath in a field in the northern part of the site called ‘Spencers’. The footpath will be closed between the 16th and 20th February 2026. The closure allows us to protect the health and safety of footpath users from our fencing works. An alternative route will be made available – and will be signed for the period of the closure. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Woodland Works

We will begin works on some of the existing woodland on the site in mid-February. These works will involve the removal of pheasant pens, the thinning of trees and the creation of woodland glades.

The works are aimed at improving woodland biodiversity. Removal of pheasant pens will reduce disturbance in the woodland. Creation of clearings will introduce light and warmth into parts to the woodland, allowing a wider range of plants and animals to be present. The works will also improve woodland structure allowing a wider age range of trees to be present as well as creating a mix of open and closed canopy conditions. The works will help improve the long-term resilience of the woodland.

Wood generated from thinning will be retained on site – with the majority placed on the forest floor in order to increase the amount of dead wood present. This again creates new habitat to form.

Our plan for biodiversity

We aim to protect and enhance existing habitats and species of importance and add to these through habitat creation aimed at benefitting a range of key species, which will make a significant contribution to the objectives of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.