Japanese Knotweed Do's and Don't's
The presence of Japanese knotweed can cause disruption to development projects and incur unbudgeted costs through treatment and site delays if not dealt with properly from the very start. Whether you encounter knotweed on a major building project, as part of a maintenance scheme or in a residential garden, ensure you follow these basic do’s and don’t’s:
Dont
Allow demolition contractors or groundworkers to conduct a site scrape on a development site until the site has been properly inspected for the presence of knotweed.
Allow works to commence on a development site without first drawing up a
Knotweed Management Plan (KMP).
Allow knotweed material to intentionally or unintentionally leave your site in a manner that will contravene the Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations. If Japanese Knotweed material is to leave site it must be properly bagged or sheeted to prevent spillage in transit and must be disposed of by prior arrangement at a licensed landfill facility.
Allow Japanese knotweed to spread into adjacent properties, as this will contravene The Wildlife and Countryside Act and leave you vulnerable to third party litigation from your neighbour(s).
Store materials on top of Japanese Knotweed areas, or the materials themselves could become contaminated with knotweed and have to be disposed of accordingly.
Flail or strim knotweed, as this will cause the Japanese Knotweed to spread.
Cut down green Japanese Knotweed growth, as this material is still viable and could lead to knotweed spread unless disposed of properly. Pulling Japanese Knotweed will initially encourage further growth, and is likely to pull up the highly infectious crowns and create a disposal issue.
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.
Fly-tip Japanese Knotweed material.
Do
Isolate the Japanese Knotweed prior to the commencement of works to prevent any disturbance of the plant by workers, vehicles or members of the public.
Draw up a Knotweed Management Plan – especially if a number of contractors are to be involved on the site – and adhere to it throughout your project.
Treat Japanese knotweed as soon as it becomes apparent – do not allow it to become established. Treatment ofJapanse knotweed on land banks is highly recommended as they will prove easier to either sell or develop than if the knotweed has been allowed to thrive for several years.
Adhere to recommendations in the Environment Agency Knotweed Code of Practice (2006)
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