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.
April 2026 - Community update
Phase 1 complete
April sees the successful completion of Phase 1 of our works. This winter we have:
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.
Ground Control, our contractor, will be leaving the site in early May.
Join us for a guided walk
To share with the local community the progress we have made so far, we are proposing to hold two guided walks on:
Date: Sunday, 10 May 2026
Time: 10.00am and 2.00pm
Getting ready for Phase 2
In April, we will be turning our attention to our Phase 2 works.
Phase 2 works, which will begin in August, will cover additional tree planting and habitat creation.
Designing a new community woodland
As part of Phase 2, we are proposing the development of a community woodland. To help shape its design, we will be holding an event at Providence Chapel, Charlwood to discuss the proposals with local residents.
Date: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Time: 12.00pm to 8.00pm
The L&G design team will be available throughout the day - please join us to help shape the design of this new community space.
The area for this woodland is shown in the map below:
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.
Our plan for biodiversity
We aim to protect and enhance existing habitats and species of importance.
Through habitat creation we aim to revitalise key species. This helps us take a step to achieving the objectives of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Existing habitats
The Site supports priority habitats, including:
Future habitats and species
New habitats we will create include:
We are aiming to support local priority species, including:
Woodland creation
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mixed native woodland planted inside a deer fenced enclosure. Shorter wraps protect the base of the tree from rabbits, mice and voles.
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.
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.
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.
Local community benefit
The idea? Woodland or orchard space for community access and benefit.
Potential outcomes:
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the project, please email: natureinvestments@landg.com