Pudding Wood | Sustainability | Legal & General Group

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.

December 2025, Community update

A red tractor working on a large grassy field under a blue sky with scattered white clouds. The field has multiple parallel strips of soil turned over, indicating recent ploughing. Trees and hedgerows line the horizon in the background.

Strip Cultivation begins

We started work on our project at the start of October. This involved “Strip Cultivation”, a technique used in regenerative agriculture. This cultivation has been undertaken on those fields that are to be planted with trees this winter. Strip Cultivation involves the ploughing and rotavating of small strips of land which creates an aerated soil that provides the perfect growing conditions for young trees.

First ponds created

October also saw the creation of our first two ponds. These were created by the Newt Conservation Partnership. These ponds are the first of up to 20 ponds that will be developed across the site. The ponds will provide habitat for a range of species, including the Great Crested Newt.

Contractor appointed

In December we finalised the appointment of our contractor, Ground Control. Ground Control will be establishing a site compound off Spencer’s Lane – and will start work on installing deer fencing followed by tree planting in January.

Upcoming tree safety works

In January we are also planning to undertake safety works to a number of trees along the farm tracks and paths. This follows a tree survey which identified a number of dead or potentially problematic trees. Works will involve either the removal of some trees as well as the creation of ‘monoliths’. Monoliths provide habitat for a range of species from roosting for birds and bats through to a home for bracket fungi. Tree works may cause some temporarily disruption to access along some of our farm tracks.

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.

Countryside landscape with a lush, green field bordered by dense hedges and tall trees. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue.

Existing habitats

The Site supports priority habitats, including:

Irreplaceable ancient mixed deciduous woodland
Native mixed hedgerows
Streams and watercourses
Ponds
Veteran trees

A close-up view of bluebell flowers in a woodland. The background, with bluebell flowers and green foliage, is blurred.

Future habitats and species

New habitats we will create include:

Deciduous broadleaved woodland for carbon capture and wildlife
Traditional wildflower meadow
Traditional orchard
Species-rich native hedgerow
Field ponds
Wet grassland and ferns

A small bird perched on top of a wooden post along a country path. The path is bordered by lush green hedges.

We are aiming to support local priority species, including:

Nightingale, Turtle Dove and Marsh Tit
White Admiral Butterfly
Great Crested Newt
Water Vole, Hazel Dormouse and Bats

Woodland creation

A long stretch of deer fencing running through a grassy field. The fence is made of wire mesh attached to wooden posts that are evenly spaced along the length of the fence.

Deer fenced enclosure installed prior to tree planting.

Protecting the young trees from deer browsing is essential to establish the young trees and reduces the need for larger individual tree guards.

The image shows a group of people planting trees in a field. The trees are being planted in tree tubes, which are protective coverings that help young trees grow. The background features rolling hills and a large tree on the right side of the image.

Mixed native woodland being planted in tree tubes.

The tree planting is being done by hand by a group of volunteers. After some instruction and with a bit of supervision, tree planting can be effectively taken on by young and old alike.

Tree saplings are 30 centimetres tall and planted with a small spade and firmed in

A field with numerous young trees planted in protective tree tubes. The tubes are arranged in rows, and the field is covered with green grass. There are some taller trees visible in the background, and the sky is clear with a few clouds.

Native black poplar is one of the UK’s most endangered tree species. Re-establishing this species in areas of wet woodland habitat creation is a priority for its long-term conservation.

The 30 centimetres sapling grows fast and will be >1 metre tall within a growing season

A row of young trees planted in protective tree tubes inside a deer-fenced enclosure.

Mixed native woodland planted inside a deer fenced enclosure.

Without the deer fence, the young trees would get browsed off by Roe, Fallow and Muntjac Deer.

A wide-angle shot of a field with young trees planted in protective tree tubes, surrounded by green grass. The sky is clear and blue, with a line of mature trees visible in the background.

Mixed native woodland planted inside a deer fenced enclosure. Shorter wraps protect the base of the tree from rabbits, mice and voles.

After 14 months the trees are >1.2 metres tall and starting to develop a crown as their roots extend and begin to grow outwards

Aerial view of a green field with rows of small plants bordered by dense clusters of trees on both sides. To the right is a brown ploughed field. The background shows more fields and patches of trees extending towards distant hills under a clear sky.

Mixed native woodland planted in tree tubes extending and linking areas of ancient semi natural woodland.

Increasing native woodland habitat is a key priority for nature conservation; well-designed woodland can enhance the landscape by linking and joining existing wooded features.

Rows of young trees in protective tree tubes spread across a grassy field. A dirt path runs alongside the planted area, and mature trees form a dense woodland in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Mixed native woodland planted in tree tubes, most of the trees are emerging from the tubes.

The ride network and glades have been maintained to allow a more diverse ground flora to develop.

The vegetation between the rows of trees has been cut back to encourage growth and prevent weed competition.

A dark green forestry machine. The surrounding area is densely populated with trees, and there are branches and debris on the ground.

Low impact machinery being used to undertake coppicing in a 20-year-old native woodland.

Creating glades and coppice coupes benefits wildlife and introduces different structures within planted woodlands. Dormice, bats and butterflies benefit from opening and new growth in a woodland setting.