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COMMERCIAL JAPANESE KNOTWEED REMOVAL.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

If you are looking to develop or build on land that has Japanese Knotweed, the option of a 5 year (herbicide) management plan is not viable. This is often down to the time constraints from planners, construction workers, resource availability & financing schedules.

In cases of development, it is also advised by the Environment Agency, that for complete eradication, the entire rhizome of the Japanese Knotweed should be removed from the soil; and this is especially so when the ground is likely to be disturbed in the construction, building of & extension of homes/industrial & commercial units & the landscaping of grounds.

Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd offer our clients professional services and options, which are bespoke to individual client’s specifications and requirements. Our friendly and helpful staff are here to talk to, offering free advice & guidance.

From the point of initial contact, Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd will guide you through the process, identifying the current use of the site, future plans for development, the time-scales and schedules in place,

identify if planning applications have been submitted or approved (where planning has been approved we will ask you to provide copies to Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd, to aid us in deciding upon the best Japanese Knotweed removal approach) & advise the most cost effective solutions available; specific to the clients project requirements.

Pictures, measurements and details specific to the site/project will be recorded – i.e. Access points for plant machinery, routes identified for disposal vehicles, potential bund areas identified & a Risk Assessment of the site and potential hazards recorded. Factors such as nearby water courses, neighbouring properties & planning for the site will also contribute to the surveyor’s final conclusions when selecting the most cost effective and appropriate management plan for the site/project.

The findings of the site survey, a schedule of works proposal and a quotation are then presented to the client in a report for the client’s consideration.

Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd will provide both the machinery and skilled staff for all of our projects. Our technicians and operatives are all trained and directly employed in-house. We will control and oversee all works directly and ensure that all legislation is strictly adhered to and that no cross contamination occurs. Alternatively, if you provide your own plant we can oversee the works for you.

NO TWO JOBS ARE EVER THE SAME.

In reality most eradication programs are a combination of treatments.

COMMERCIAL PROCESS.

If you are looking to develop or build on land that has Japanese Knotweed, the option of a 5 year (herbicide) management plan is often not viable. This can be down to the time constraints from planners, construction workers, resource availability & financing schedules.

In cases of development, it is also advised by the Environment Agency, that for complete eradication, the entire rhizome of the Japanese Knotweed should be removed from the soil; and this is especially so when the ground is likely to be disturbed in the construction, building of & extension of homes/industrial & commercial units & the landscaping of grounds.

Japanese Knotweed is classed as ‘Controlled Waste’ and must be removed by a licensed waste carrier, for cell burial at a licensed landfill.

Landfill depots will not accept any soils/waste from site until they have been classified as either ‘Hazardous’ or ‘Non Hazardous’ which involves determining the chemical composition. The results also determine where waste can be accepted.

All Knotweed Services operatives and technicians are CSCS registered.

We will provide a soil analysis, taking samples from site before works are conducted. Typically, results take up-to 5 working days to be received. Alternatively, if classification has been conducted by the principle contractor on site, the certification must be made available at Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd.

Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd offer our clients professional services and options, which are bespoke to individual client’s specifications and requirements. Knotweed Services can supply plant machinery and operatives for the duration of excavation works.

Japanese Knotweed Commercial excavation infographics

COMMERCIAL PROCESS.

1. IDENTIFICATION OF JAPANESE KNOTWEED

The easy way to identify Japanese Knotweed is by sending us your images. It’s a quick and free service – simply fill in the form (at the bottom of our website) or email your images to us on info@knotweedsevices.co.uk

The images below show you the different appearances of Japanese Knotweed in each season. If you are 100% sure it is JKW and this has been identified on a home buyers survey, a valuation survey or even a gardener, please progress to Step 2.

Spring (March – April)
Shoots and stems are a purple/red colour with curled pinky reddish leaves. As the canes grow the leaves gradually unfurl and turn green.

Summer (May – August)
Shoots and stems are green with purple speckles. Leaves become heart shaped and turn green.

Autumn (September – October)
Stems are virulent, growing upwards of up to six feet, cream/white flowers appear late summer/autumn.

Winter (November – February)
Stems change to dark brown and are hollow, brittle and absent of leaves or flowers.

Japanese knotweed in the 4 seasons

2. SURVEY CONDUCTED

From our experience we believe that a site survey is crucial for a successful remediation plan. The data obtained is used by our surveyors & technicians to devise an appropriate management plan.
It is also an essential requirement for many lenders and insurance providers. From our experience, we think that this is the most important part of our process.

A PCA Qualified Surveyor will conduct the site survey. Pictures and measurements will be recorded and a visual inspection of the property boundaries (where possible neighbouring property) will be inspected.

All factors / variables affecting the JKW will be recorded

Such as:

  • The size of the infestation
  • The location
  • Nearby watercourses
  • Does the property back onto Network Rail land?
  • Access issues
  • Distance to habitable space (see table) and
  • JKW encroachment from/onto neighbouring property.


In cases of encroachment, where possible, our expert surveyors will identify where encroachment has taken place. At this stage, any future plans for the property (ie. landscaping/potential extension/renovation works) will also be discussed.

3. REPORT AND QUOTATION PREPARED

If you are in the process of buying or selling a house, the report produced by our qualified and experienced
surveyors will be required by the mortgage lenders – even if the suspected plant is NOT JKW.

The detailed report will conclude the findings of the site survey and the recommendations for the best method of control/treatment. This is known as a management plan (MP) and at this initial stage, we refer to it as a proposal.

The management plan proposal will outline the best method of control/treatment specific to each individual property based on the findings of the site survey. Our bespoke Management Plans include Herbicide treatment in the forms of Stem Injection, Knapsack Spraying, Foliar Wiping & Crown Removal.

The Management Plans for herbicide packages are for a duration of 5 years and include a 10 year Warranty. Insurance Backed Guarantees are included as standard.

For customers / commercial clients requiring excavation management plans include 2 years of monitoring.

Finally, a quotation for the bespoke management plan will be prepared and sent to you, along with the management plan proposal. We aim to complete paperwork within a maximum of 7 days.

Pictures of a Japanese Knotweed Excavation

4. MANAGEMENT PLAN AND WARRANTY PAPERWORK ISSUED

Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd are employed to take full responsibility of the Japanese Knotweed infestation, making buying & selling property
easier as we provide all the documentation mortgage lenders / purchasers / estate agents and solicitors require.

If instructed following the quotation, Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd will commence a 5 year treatment plan (for customers / commercial clients requiring excavation management plans include 2 years of monitoring) to control the Japanese Knotweed and a 10 year warranty is issued.
A typical herbicide management plan includes:

  • 3 year Herbicide/stem injection treatment plan * (We aim to conduct 2 treatments per year) **
  • Crown removal as necessary
  • 2 years of monitoring the site for any regrowth
  • A final inspection
  • A full management plan
  • A 10 year warranty.
Japanese Knotweed Certificate

We are a PCA approved contractor, this treatment plan is fully compliant with industry standards and will be recognised by banks and building society’s to allow lending against a property.

Therefore, once payment is received, the paperwork is issued immediately, which can be sent directly to all parties. Hence, this process should not hold up the buying or selling process.

* As we are dealing with nature, we constantly assess the effectiveness of treatment. Every JKW infestation, in different environments, reacts differently. Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd will treat for either 2 or 3 years, whichever is necessary until successful. ** Dependent on how effective previous treatments are, this could be more or less. 

5. MANAGEMENT PLAN DURATION

The duration of the a management plan will depend on the clients situation, plans and budget.

Most of our residential treatments have a 5 year management schedule. This generally includes 2 – 3 years of treatment with herbicide followed by 2 years of monitoring. This option is best for those not intending to develop or those not under time restraints.

Our commercial clients normally have tighter time scales and do intend to develop. In this situation our remediation strategies change. Mechanical excavation of the Japanese Knotweed and it’s rhizomes is a quick solution and can be completed within weeks. We would still monitor the site for 2 years.

Patience and persistence is key for herbicide treatments. If you need a faster solution, excavation is for you!

 

6. COMPLETION CERTIFICATE ISSUED

At the end of the management plan we issue a completion certificate.

For excavation style works, the completion certificate is issued in as little as 2 years. We can remove Japanese Knotweed sometimes in a matter of weeks!

We still monitor the site for 2 years regardless of what methods we implement.

Japanese Knotweed Treatments

— TREATMENT OPTIONS

SOIL SCREENING

A tried and tested methodology used on hundreds of sites across the UK.

Using the screening method, the Japanese knotweed rhizome material is separated from the soil material. The Japanese knotweed material is then either transported to licensed landfill at a much lower disposal rate or incinerated on site using a D6 exemption from the Environment Agency or Natural Resources Wales.

The cleaned soils can then be reused in locations away from any construction, normally in soft landscaping areas.

This can reduce the landfill & backfill requirement costs significantly and can also help to reduce the carbon footprint on site due to reduced vehicle movements to landfill.

BIOSECURITY SUPERVISION

Knotweed Services can provide a biosecurity operative to supervise any excavations and movement of soils containing Japanese knotweed on site. 

As part of these measures, we can provide a biosecurity boot wash and machine-washing area installed in an area at the entrance to the site.
We will provide all toolbox talks for the main contractor on site, which will be signed by all contractors involved in the operation on site.

We can provide temporary geotextile barriers if required in areas to maintain the biosecurity on site.

Once the works have been completed, we will provide the client with a full biosecurity report.

This method can be used in conjunction with other treatment methods on site.

Commercial Japanese Knotweed Excavation

EXCAVATION AND DISPOSAL

This treatment method is ideal where time constraints are present and there’s no other option other than to remove both the Japanese Knotweed and contaminated soil to a registered landfill.

By removing all traces of the infestation quickly, this offers a rapid solution to your problem and allows your commercial project to begin groundwork’s almost straight away. When time is of the essence, there is no quicker Japanese Knotweed removal/treatment method.

Any waste taken off-site will be done so with a licensed waste carrier to a suitably authorised landfill site.

Japanese Knotweed Cell Burial

CELL BURIAL

Cell burial comprises of moving Knotweed contaminated soil from one location on site, burying it in an excavated pit which is lined with a root barrier membrane, in a different position on the site.

The burial requirements for Japanese Knotweed are as follows:

  • The Environment Agency recommends that the top of the burial cell should be a minimum of 2 metres below ground level.
  • The overall depth of the burial pit should be in excess of 5 metres deep. All root barrier seams are welded together forming an encapsulated cell from which the Japanese Knotweed cannot escape. Clean soil is then used to backfill on top of the cell.
  • To prevent accidental disturbance of the burial site, it is recorded on all site plans and future land owners should be made aware of the location.
Knotweed Bunding photograph

STOCKPILE & TREAT 

Bunding is the method of relocating contaminated Japanese Knotweed soil to a different area of the site being treated. A bund is a shallow area of the contaminated soil, typically 0.5m deep.

The bund can either be raised, on top of the ground, or placed within an excavation to make the surface flush with the surrounding area.

The purpose of the bund is to move the Japanese Knotweed to an area of the site that is not used. This ‘buys time’ for treatment that would not be possible where the Japanese Knotweed was originally located.

HERBICIDE APPLICATION

At Knotweed Services we can provide the client with bespoke treatment plans depending on the locations of the Japanese knotweed. 

These plans can work in conjunction with other methods of treatment where access is limited to pedestrian movements i.e., embankments or existing pathways within a site.

This will normally consist of up to 3 visits per annum to apply herbicide by either foliar spray technique or stem injection during the growing season over a period of 3 years, with a monitoring period of 2 years thereafter.

We would select the appropriate herbicides depending on the surrounding foliage or environmental constraints.

After each visit a full treatment record would be provided with photos showing the progress of the works and then an annual report.

KNOTWEED LAW.

— THE LAW IN ENGLAND AND WALES

SCHEDULE 9 WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT OF 1981

  • It is an offence to plant or otherwise cause to grow schedule 9 species (Japanese Knotweed is classed as a schedule 9 species) in the wild, punishable by fines or imprisonment
  • If it can be shown that a schedule 9 plant has spread from a landowners property onto another property, then the landowner could be considered responsible for any damage caused and the costs of control
  • However, if landowners take all reasonable steps and exercise all due diligence to avoid spreading the plant, then they will be better protected against prosecution
  • In order to reduce the potential of fines/prosecution, landowners should have a management plan for schedule 9 species on their property and be able to show that they are following it.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT OF 1990

  • Waste containing any part of a schedule 9 plant that could facilitate the spread of the species is classified as controlled waste and should be disposed of at a suitable waste facility, accompanied by appropriate Waste Transfer documentation!
  • You cannot just dispose of Japanese Knotweed by putting it in the bin nor can you take it to the local waste management site
  • All producers, carriers and waste facilities have a duty of care to ensure that the waste is handled and treated properly
  • Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd can legally and correctly dispose of your Japanese Knotweed during the treatment and control process. This takes all the pressure away from the landowner.
Japanese Knotweed and the Law

But what if I don’t know if there is Japanese Knotweed?

Don’t worry, we can conduct a site survey to find out.

We would highly recommend that anybody buying or selling property has a Japanese Knotweed survey. It prevents later compensation or misrepresentation claims for sellers and ensures the sale goes through fairly swiftly.

Not declaring Japanese Knotweed has, in our experience, only caused problems. We have seen cases where purchases have been seriously delayed and in some cases, even cancelled.

DEAL WITH IT EARLY AND YOU WILL FAIR BETTER!

THE LAW: BUYING AND SELLING PROPERTY

Residential Japanese Knotweed Removal

The presence of Japanese Knotweed on, or in, close proximity to a property can create difficulties for those wishing to sell their property; and for buyers wishing to secure mortgage finances.

SELLERS

It is your legal responsibility to declare if your property is affected by Japanese Knotweed on the TA6 form. You will also be asked to enclose a copy of a management plan should you have one in place. In instances where Knotweed is not declared many lenders will still request a site survey and report.

The TA6 form should be filled in accurately as inaccurate answers can lead to the buyer seeking compensation for misrepresentation. If you are unsure if the property has Japanese Knotweed, we would always advise a Japanese Knotweed Survey is conducted.

BUYERS

The known presence of Japanese Knotweed should be declared on the TA6 form. Mortgage lenders require a professional management plan with an Insurance Backed Guarantee before they will lend.

If you think the seller has given inaccurate information on their TA6 we recommend seeking legal advise as you may have a claim for misrepresentation.

NEIGHBOURS

All home owners have a legal responsibility to stop JKW encroaching onto neighbouring property. And as such, the Local Authority have it in their power to issue a Community Protection Notice (CPN) to those home owners refusing to do anything about the JKW on their property, which ultimately threatens court proceedings if no action is taken.

If Japanese Knotweed is identified on neighbouring property, we would always advise discussing the situation in the first instance and addressing the legalities before taking action with the local authority.

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