For Homeowners Property Managers and Construction
what to do and what not to do when you find knotweed
Whether you encounter knotweed on your property or land, on your managed properties or on a commercial construction site, this highly informational article is all you need to know about Knotweed Do’s and Don’ts if you have knotweed. Knotweed experts provide all the guidelines you should follow to stay compliant and avoid legal consequences:
GUIDELINES FOR HOMEOWNERS
Do
- Arrange for a professional survey of your property to have the suspect knotweed confirmed.
- Implement biosecurity measures to stop it spreading – avoid digging or moving plants in the knotweed area.
- Obtain a Knotweed Management Plan (KMP) – especially if you’re planning to sell.
- Commence treatment or removal of Japanese knotweed as soon as possible after discovering its presence.
- Adhere to recommendations in the PCA Code of Practice for managing knotweed, when controlling or removing Japanese knotweed.
Don’t
- Disturb the ground in any way.
- Start any building projects that involve digging near the knotweed locations.
- Allow knotweed material to leave your property intentionally or unintentionally in a manner that will contravene the Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations.
- Allow Japanese knotweed to spread into adjacent properties, as this could contravene legislation and private nuisance laws leaving you vulnerable to third party litigation from your neighbour(s).
- Flail or strim knotweed, as this will cause the Japanese knotweed to spread.
- Store materials on top of Japanese knotweed areas, or the materials themselves could become contaminated with knotweed.
- Chip Japanese knotweed material, as mechanical chippers do not kill the plant and could result in new Japanese knotweed growth wherever the chipped material is spread.
- Add Japanese knotweed to compost, as this can lead to knotweed growing in your compost heap.
- Burn Japanese knotweed as a sole means of treatment as large rhizome and crowns can survive burning.
- Bin Japanese knotweed (in green bins).
- Take Japanese knotweed to landfill.
- Dispose of Japanese knotweed material in the wild.
GUIDELINES FOR PROPERTY MANAGERS
Do
- Arrange for a professional survey of your sites to have the suspect knotweed confirmed.
- Include regular or annual surveys to your management plan.
- If knotweed is confirmed – inform clients and residents immediately and provide an action plan.
- Any planned maintenance works must be paused whilst a professional survey report is provided and remediation measures are sourced and implemented.
- Implement biosecurity measures to stop it spreading. Fence off the Japanese knotweed area(s). Fencing should be erected 5-7 metres away from the visible growth to prevent disturbance of the plants’ underground rhizome. It should be clearly signed.
- Obtain a Knotweed Management Plan (KMP) from a reputable contractor.
- Commence treatment or removal of Japanese knotweed as soon as possible after discovering its presence.
- Adhere to recommendations in the PCA Code of Practice for managing knotweed, when controlling or removing Japanese knotweed.
Don’t
- Allow any property maintenance works to commence without first assessing the extent of the infestation and drawing up a Knotweed Management Plan (KMP).
- Allow knotweed material to leave your site intentionally or unintentionally in a manner that will contravene the Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations.
- Allow Japanese knotweed to spread into adjacent properties, as this could contravene legislation and private nuisance laws leaving you vulnerable to third party litigation from your neighbour(s).
- Attempt to treat or remove the knotweed yourself (including strimming, burning, mowing) as this will cause the Japanese knotweed to spread – always use a licensed contractor.
- Store materials on top of Japanese knotweed areas, or the materials themselves could become contaminated with knotweed.
- Take knotweed waste to landfill – a waste carrier’s license is required to handle and transport knotweed materials and contaminated soils as it’s classed as ‘controlled waste’ and legislated under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
- Dispose of Japanese knotweed material in the wild.
GUIDELINES FOR COMMERCIAL & CONSTRUCTION
Do
- Arrange for a survey of the proposed site to assess the land for knotweed and have knotweed confirmed. Ideally pre-purchase or pre-planning is best.
- Projects must be paused whilst a professional survey report is provided and remediation measures are planned in.
- Implement biosecurity measures to stop it spreading. Immediately fence off the Japanese knotweed area(s) or if need be the entire site to stop works and prevent contractors entering. Fencing should be erected 5-7 metres away from the visible growth to prevent disturbance of the plants’ underground rhizome. It should be clearly signed.
- Obtain a Knotweed Management Plan (KMP) – especially if a number of contractors are to be involved on the site and adhere to it throughout your project.
- Commence treatment or removal of Japanese knotweed as soon as possible after discovering its presence.
- Adhere to recommendations in the PCA Code of Practice for managing knotweed, when controlling or removing Japanese knotweed.
Don’t
- Allow works to commence on a development site without first assessing the extent of the infestation and drawing up a Knotweed Management Plan (KMP).
- Allow contractors to undertake site work until the site has been properly surveyed for the presence of knotweed.
- Allow knotweed material to leave your site intentionally or unintentionally in a manner that will contravene the Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations.
- Allow Japanese knotweed to spread into other areas of the site or adjacent sites, as this could contravene legislation and private nuisance laws leaving you vulnerable to third party litigation.
- Attempt to eradicate or bury the knotweed yourself – always use a licensed contractor.
- Take knotweed waste to landfill – a waste carrier’s license is required to handle and transport knotweed materials and contaminated soils as it’s classed as ‘controlled waste’ and legislated under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
- Dispose of Japanese knotweed material in the wild.
If in doubt ask a knotweed expert – we’re here to survey, control and remove the problem for you.