Invasive Weeds – Why should I care?
Ever been for a river side walk and enjoyed the flowing water, the scenery, the bluebells, the insect and bird life? Well make the most of it, if Japanese Knotweed carries on spreading at its current rate you wont be able to enjoy the experience for much longer!
JK spreads at a phenomenal rate spreading 7m in all directions per growing season. On local rivers adjacent to our Manchester office you can watch as native flora and fauna disappear under the onslaught of Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed. See Japanese Knotweed on the River Irlam in and around central Manchester, the Giant Hogweed in the frontage of The Lowry Hotel, Giant Hogweed in the Asda car park in Radcliffe!
Please log on and advise of any local infestations and the damage they are causing.
May 30th, 2008 at 2:48 am
We have a problem with biodiversity robbing aquatic and terrestrial exotic weeds which now rivals the biodiversity being lost in the destruction of the rain forests. It is a global phenomenon, and no one says much about it. Thanks for speaking up! It’s great to save the rain forests of the world, just don’t plant them in your landscape!
May 31st, 2008 at 11:39 am
A developer recently purchased and built on a plot next to my home. I informed him of the cluster of Knotweed on his plot last year but he has proceeded to spread the spoil over the whole site and dispose of much of it in normal skips. He has told me that he has spayed last years growth but there is now knotweed growing back in his plot and I have just noticed it punching through my tarmac driveway. What can I do to halt the spread onto my property and onto my neighbours? Do I have a claim against him for any costs I may incur.
My other concern is that he now has his property on the market and may sell to an unsuspecting buyer if it is not picked up in the survey.
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 am
Thanks for your comments Andrew. Any off site disposal of Japanese Knotweed (JK)contaminated material (Including JK that has been treated/sprayed) should only be disposed of at licensed facilities using covered wagons/skips as per the Environment Agency Code of Practice - any breach of this would be in contravention of the Wildlife and Coultryside Act and would be liable to significant fines. If JK has grown from neighbouring land into your property you can take legal action as it is the landowners responsibility to ensure that the plant does not spread into your property. All costs would be covered under your claim. With regards the unsuspecting buyer the JK should be picked up by the surveyor -we currently have several examples of mortgages being held up or refused due to JK infestations.Should you wish to discuss this further please call our office.ThanksMike Clough
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:26 am
Thanks James, I feel I am fighting a losing battle!
We recently worked on one of our Stately homes where we were employed to eradicate Giant Hogweed - unfortunately the lady of the house was still planting Giant Hogweed seeds on the other side of the estate unaware of the problems and dangers of this plant…!
Obviously we need to try and raise the profile of these problem plants to educate people and give a better understanding of the broader issues of alien species.
Thanks again for your interest.
Mike Clough