Following the successful establishment of Thorlux Lighting parent FW Thorpe’s first woodland creation project in Wales, where 180,000 trees were planted across 215 acres, the Group has continued its long-term investment in carbon sequestration and environmental improvement with the creation of The Brook Woodland in Herefordshire.
In total over 130,000 trees have been planted across the 195-acre site, comprising 23 species, including native broadleaves, high-canopy oaks and species selected for continuous-cover forestry.
While carbon capture is an important purpose of the woodland, the project has been designed to deliver much wider and lasting environmental benefits. Its varied mix of species will help create resilient habitats for native wildlife while supporting an increasingly diverse range of plants, flowers, fungi and insects. The woodland will also strengthen connections between existing habitats, enhancing biodiversity across the surrounding landscape.
Natural flood management is another central element of the scheme. Twelve ‘leaky dams’ have been installed across the site’s watercourses, which feed into the River Monnow.
Constructed using natural materials, these structures temporarily slow and hold back water during periods of heavy rainfall. This can help reduce the speed and volume of water flowing downstream, lowering flood risk while creating valuable wetland habitats.
Public access and engagement are equally important to the project. Accessible footpaths, constructed using locally sourced stone, have now been installed, allowing residents and visitors to explore and enjoy the developing woodland. The routes have been designed to make the site welcoming while encouraging people to connect with the natural environment.
The next phase will introduce seating and picnic benches made from recycled materials, together with educational signage explaining the woodland’s habitats, species and environmental features.
The Brook Woodland represents more than a tree-planting scheme. It is a long-term investment in the landscape, creating an accessible community resource and valuable natural habitat while supporting FW Thorpe’s wider environmental commitments. As the woodland matures, its benefits will continue to grow for the local community and visitors to the area.
• Thorlux Lighting will be exhibiting at next month’s Circular Lighting Live 2026. The event includes expert discussions, keynote speakers and explainers on legislation, certification and more. Additionally there’s the presentation of the Build Back Better Awards 2026, the popular Just One Thing microtalks and an exhibition featuring the latest innovations in sustainable materials, luminaires and components
Big brands backing the event include Fagerhult, Thorlux Lighting, Light Projects Evolve Ltd, The Lumi Studio, DRK Lighting, WAGO and ALBIS Distribution.
Taking place on Thursday 8 October 2026 in the City of London and organised by Recolight, it’s free to specifiers including independent lighting designers, consulting engineers and architects.
