Homeowners across Wales who allow invasive plants to grow on their land could end up with a hefty fine and an ASBO for allowing plants such as Japanese Knotweed to spread unchecked. Other invasive plants include Giant Hogweed which can harm health.
The warning comes from Caroline Jones from Bruton Knowles’ Cardiff office, who said homeowners could be fined up to £2,500 under the new rules of The Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 – which now classes failing to control highly invasive plants as ‘anti-social behaviour.’ The fines for businesses can be a massive £20,000.
Caroline said Japanese Knotweed, which spreads at more than a metre a month, is particularly prevalent in some parts of Wales and can cause damage to drains and other buried services, paths and driveways, boundary/retaining walls, outbuildings, conservatories and gardens.
The potential cost of removing the plant from the UK as a whole has been estimated at £1.25billion.
Caroline Jones said removal requires a specialist contractor to treat the plant. Simply applying herbicide is not affective.
She said: “There are optimum treatment times for different chemicals. Japanese knotweed is an unpredictable plant but in the majority of cases the problem can be eliminated within 18 months. You therefore need to be very patient!
“Due to the potential disruption this plant can cause, some lenders are now reluctant to lend on properties that has the plant present unless there is commitment from the owner to treat and remove the plant.”
Under the legislation, an individual could complain to the council or the police about an invasive plant in a neighbour’s property which threatens their home or land.
