Member Article

The potential destruction of Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed, a plant species that is not indigenous to the UK, is highly invasive and often causes extensive damage to property and to natural ecosystems. As a result, property values and lending decisions are often affected by its presence even if it is just in the near vicinity. Non native, invasive plant species are now regarded as one of the biggest threats to biodiversity worldwide, with the Centre for Environmental Studies estimating that £1.6 Billion is spent annually in the UK to remove Japanese Knotweed.

.MAP By GroundSure is the first intelligence provider to offer environmental identification reports on Japanese knotweed for property specialists allowing surveyors, developers and commercial conveyancers to highlight lending risks to clients and potential management costs ahead of purchase decisions.

What damage does Japanese Knotweed cause?

Growing up to 10cm per day, Japanese Knotweed often targets the weakest points of building structures and substructures such as cracks. Common damage from Japanese Knotweed includes:

• Damage to building foundations
• Damage to housing drainage and underground sewers
• Damage to tarmac and concrete areas
• Damage to retraining walls

How .MAP By GroundSure can help

As a property professional it is essential you are aware of any presence of Japanese knotweed on site or in the vicinity as well as have the ability to make an informed decision on the risks. However, .MAP By GroundSure has developed a unique due diligence system search that will allow clients to understand these risks ahead of any purchase.

The .MAP By GroundSure report utilises innovative remote sensing technology to highlight Japanese knotweed adjacent as well as on commercial property sites. This groundbreaking new report will allow commercial conveyancers, developers and surveyors to identify potential management costs as well as lending risks before purchasing properties. The Japanese Knotweed report is the only suitable cost-effective means to understand the risks of Knotweed ahead of purchasing property.

The Japanese Knotweed report has key features that include:

• Ordnance survey Streetview location map
• Indicative buffers showing potential coverage of root system
• Unique remote sensing technique returns data
• Site boundary polygon with 250m radius buffer
• Polygon areas for Knotweed stands greater than 5m2

Additionally, you will also receive unique support from Knotweed removal experts Phlorum that include:

• Free follow up plant verification service
• Guidance of Japanese Knotweed treatment options, tailored to your available time scales and budgets

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steve Brown .