Local authorities and other public bodies are often responsible for managing many large areas of land. Such land often includes areas not routinely used or allowed to grow relatively wild. Such marginal sites can attract fly-tipping, a known route for spreading knotweed. However, the main issue with Japanese knotweed on public sector land is that its presence increases the chance of it spreading onto adjacent property. This can attract civil action against the public body responsible for the land where the knotweed originated.

Understanding Japanese knotweed

Japanese knotweed is an invasive non-native species that was introduced to the UK in the mid-1800s as a decorative plant. However, it was soon recognised as a problem, quickly growing out of control and spreading invasively, outcompeting native plants and causing damage to built structures.

Unique Challenges for Public Sector Businesses

The public sector can be seen as an easy target for knotweed litigants.

Public bodies typically have much bigger budgets than small businesses or private homeowners who might go bankrupt before a litigant is able to receive damages from a successful knotweed claim. For this reason, public bodies should be on guard and take appropriate steps to minimise risks from potential knotweed litigation.

If they don’t, they could find themselves on the wrong side of a damages claim, which could be substantial if it is shown that knotweed encroachment from their land has devalued an expensive private property.

Japanese knotweed Services for the Public Sector

As a Japanese knotweed removal specialist, Phlorum offers the full range of services to help the public sector deal with knotweed issues. This can be help to allow them to audit their portfolio of land so that sites more at risk of containing knotweed can be surveyed first. Sites that bound private property would also be a priority.

Once a Japanese knotweed survey and audit has been completed, strategies to undertake the most cost effective knotweed solutions can be implemented. Where litigation has already started, Phlorum is well-experienced in acting for public bodies to provide the necessary Japanese knotweed expert witness services to assist the courts.

As knotweed has become such an important land and property risk, potentially resulting in substantial damages claims, public bodies need the support of the most qualified and experienced commercial Japanese knotweed knotweed specialists available.