If you're a homeowner or an individual that has recently bought a piece of land or maybe you're planning on buying some land to build on, it's important for you to be aware of the laws and legalities surrounding planning permission and everybody's favourite beast from the east, Japanese knotweed! 

As Japanese knotweed is classed as an intrusive plant here in the UK, there are a number of laws that surround the eastern Asian plant which may impact on your ability to extend your house or build one altogether. To make things a little clearer, let's take a look at some of these laws and what impact that may or may not have on your chances of gaining planning permission.

Planning Permission with Japanese Knotweed 

For individuals considering planning permission for their property, it is essential that the checks are conducted for the presence of Japanese knotweed. If carried out and there is a suspicion that the plant is present, it is vitally important that a survey is requested by an ecological surveyor. If its presence is then confirmed, a control programme suitable for the site in which the property sits will need to be planned as part of the planning application, which includes the safe removal of the knotweed. Planning conditions to ensure the control programme is performed sufficiently should be imposed.

Planning Conditions 

Planning conditions are imposed on sites where Japanese knotweed is known to be present in order to prevent the spread of the invasive plant, which under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is an offence. Japanese knotweed is notorious for devaluing sites, as well as causing major structural damage to any buildings which may be developed on contaminated land. A management plan will need to be put into place which contains a number of the following things:

• The objective of control action 
• An assessment of control options
• Criteria for completion 
• Advice on preventing spread around site 

So, despite all of the hysteria surrounding Japanese knotweed, planning permission is still possible if found near your property! However, a stringent and effective plan to manage it must put into place before work can be carried out. 

If you have reason to believe that Japanese knotweed is present on your premises and require experienced professionals to assess and remove it, then do not hesitate to get in touch with Total Weed Control today for our expert Japanese knotweed removal services! 

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Any keen gardeners will have heard about Japanese knotweed supposedly having the ability to break through strong, impermeable materials like concrete. Can Japanese knotweed actually grow through concrete? Well, not exactly...

Japanese knotweed is one of the most relentless plants that will happily invade and spread through your garden, causing lots of damage as it goes. But, it's not strong enough to force its way through solid concrete slabs or walls.

That being said... Japanese knotweed is notorious for finding its way through small cracks and holes making it appear as though it has broken through all kinds of stony surfaces on its own!

The root of the problem:

Like any other plant, Japanese knotweed needs sunlight and water to grow. This means that it will take advantage of any crack or hole big enough to fit a trickle of water or a ray of sunshine down! Japanese knotweed's complex root system will send new shoots out to all of these available places, which is why our problem with this weed is so widespread. 

Getting rid of Japanese knotweed:

Unfortunately, most people's efforts to eradicate the plant themselves do not work, simply because destroying the visible plant will barely impact the complex root system underground. To tackle Japanese knotweed efficiently, you really need an expert team to deal with the weed.

Here at Total Weed Control, we have years of experience dealing with Japanese knotweed all over South Wales - so we're sure we can help you! Read more about our Japanese knotweed removal service here:

Japanese Knotweed Removal >

Identifying Japanese knotweed can be a challenge on its own, you may have noticed some pesky weeds poking up through the paving around your garden. If you're not sure what they are, or how to get rid of them properly, contact us for a FREE lawn survey!

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In September 2018, the Independent reported that Japanese knotweed had knocked nearly £20 billion off the value of the UK property market, with an estimated 850,000-900,000 properties affected nationwide.

Why does this particular weed pose such a big problem? Well, Japanese knotweed is exceedingly difficult to get rid of. Not just because the plant's rhizome root system can sometimes burrow a full 2 metres down into the ground, but also because a tiny fragment of those roots can sprout into a whole new stem.

This allows Japanese knotweed (once beloved by UK gardeners for its resemblance to bamboo) to spread to new sites at a truly alarming rate - ironically, many attempts to destroy the weed only end up helping it to take root elsewhere!

So, if you're sat around wondering how to get rid of Japanese knotweed, the professionals here at Total Weed Control are here to help!

We don't recommend trying to remove Japanese knotweed yourself.

Japanese knotweed is recognised by British authorities as a highly invasive non-native plant, and there are certain laws in place to keep it from spreading. For example, Japanese knotweed is classed as 'controlled waste', meaning that it can only be disposed of at specially licensed landfill sites.

As mentioned above, attempting to eradicate Japanese knotweed by yourself can backfire and make the problem even worse, so it's generally wise to call in a Japanese knotweed removal specialist to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.

How to Get Rid of Japanese Knotweed Permanently

Broadly speaking, there are two ways to get rid of Japanese knotweed:

• Herbicide - Spraying the plant's leaves with herbicide is generally the most cost-effective solution. Herbicide application should take place over several years to ensure the best possible results.
  
  
• Excavation & Disposal - The other option is to use excavation machinery to dig up the affected site, after which the knotweed can be disposed of at one of the aforementioned licensed landfill sites. This is by some distance the more expensive and disruptive approach of the two, but it may be preferable if you're on a deadline.

So, when it comes to getting rid of a knotweed infestation on or near your property, you have the two above choices. Whicher you decide to use will ultimately depend on your preference in terms of time and disruption.

How we can help get rid of your Japanese knotweed infestation

Here at Total Weed Control, we provide specialist Japanese knotweed removal across South Wales and South West England that ensure any confirmed case of knotweed on or around your home is dealt with in a professional and effective manner.

So, what are you waiting for!? To get rid of your Japanese knotweed, get in touch with our expert team today before it's too late!

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From calculators and karaoke to sushi and sumo wrestling, Japan has given many gifts to the outside world. Sadly, knotweed is not one of them…

Japanese knotweed grows thick and fast with roots strong enough to break through tarmac. If neglected, it can cause havoc beneath the surface of your property.

Worse still, typical home insurance policies won’t cover damage caused by Japanese knotweed. While this does mean your insurance premiums may be unaffected, it does mean you are left to foot the removal bill.

In this blog, we take a closer look at the pesky plant from the East and answer a common question among homeowners, "does Japanese knotweed affect insurance?"

There’s a reason the words “Japanese knotweed” often strike fear into the hearts of homeowners and potential property buyers nationwide. Japanese knotweed can have a substantial impact on house value, leaving your finances in a bind of their own.

In extreme cases, an invasion of the Asian vegetation can slash a property’s price tag by as much as half, while a decrease in value by tens of thousands is far from unusual when it comes to Japanese knotweed house value.

Worse still, if you don’t have Japanese knotweed house insurance in place, a late discovery can add even further costs. Simply put, the negative role of Japanese knotweed in house value makes it a monumental pain in the grass, leaving both your home and your finances in a precarious position.

What does Japanese knotweed do to a house?

Okay, first things first, you’re probably wondering “What damage can Japanese knotweed do to my home? After all, it’s just a plant, right… RIGHT?!”

Wrong. In fact, this botanical beast from the east can rock your house to the core. The visible plant can grow over two metres in height, while its roots can grow as much as three metres deep and stretch out up to seven metres wide from the surface growth.

The roots themselves are bamboo-like and can spread thick and fast. If left untreated, they can quickly block drains, weaken walls and even damage the foundations of your property. As such, the affect of Japanese knotweed in house pricing can be devastating.

Japanese knotweed and mortgages

Due to the structural dangers associated with hellish herb, it can be difficult for would-be homeowners to find a mortgage for properties with Japanese knotweed. That being said, it isn’t impossible…

Most lenders will require a professional surveyor to assess the property, in order to assess the risk and/or damage. If the knotweed is causing severe problems or poses a substantial risk, it can have a direct effect on your mortgage application.

While all lenders will have their own individual checks and preferences, there are a few factors that typically come into play:

Japanese knotweed in house next door

If your neighbours have Japanese knotweed on their property, mortgage lenders will then need to determine if your home is at risk of it spreading.

If the knotweed is more than seven metres away from the property boundary, this is typically deemed low-risk; however, if the weed is discovered within seven metres of the property boundary, this can be viewed as a concern for some lenders.

Japanese knotweed on your property

Similarly, even if the knotweed is present on your own land, the distance of it from the habitable part of your property can also be a big factor.

For example, if Japanese knotweed is discovered in your garden but it’s more than seven metres away from your house, you may still be granted a mortgage (although a specialist survey will likely be required before approval).

If the knotweed is discovered within seven metres of the living space, it likely poses a substantial risk. In fact, Japanese knotweed house damage could well have already impacted your property, surrounding drains or its outbuildings. Repair work will likely be needed before approval.

If your property is at risk from Japanese knotweed, don’t let it tie your finances up in knots. Call Total Weed Control today for a Japanese knotweed house survey and nip it in the bud now – it could save you a bundle!

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Further information:

• Buying a house with Japanese knotweed
• Selling a house with Japanese knotweed