Dozens of infestations of nightmare invasive plant have been reported
HOTSPOTS for a nightmare invasive plant have been detected in Burton and South Derbyshire as it enters its dreaded spring growth phase.
Japanese knotweed begins to grow in March or April depending on the ground temperature and can cause damage to properties as a result, following its winter hibernation.
Expert Environet reveals the latest hotspots using data from its interactive online tracker, Exposed: the Japanese Knotweed Heatmap.
In this, it reveals how many occurrences of the weed have been detected in each area. In Burton, there have been 24 infestations in a 4km radius and in Swadlincote there have been 90. Some of the surrounding areas have also had reports. In Egginton, Willington and Repton there have been 37 infestations and five in Uttoxeter.
Elsewhere in Staffordshire, there have been 54 infestations in Stoke, 22 in Cannock and 14 in both Tamworth and Hednesford.
Containing reports of more than 54,000 known infestations of Japanese knotweed, charting the spread of the plant across the UK, Exposed informs homeowners and potential homebuyers of the local presence of knotweed and the potential risk to their property.
People simply need to enter their postcode to find out the number of reported knotweed outbreaks nearby, with hotspots highlighted in yellow or red.
As homeowners spend more time in their gardens this spring they need to be on the look out for purple or red asparagus-like shoots now emerging from the ground and quickly growing into lush green shrubs with heart or shovel-shaped leaves and pinkflecked stems, said a spokesman for Exposed: the Japanese Knotweed Heatmap.
Pushing up through cracks in concrete, driveways, patios, paths, drains and even the cavity walls of homes, Japanese knotweed can reduce a property’s value by 10 per cent and make it difficult to sell, unless a professional treatment plan is in place with an insurance-backed guarantee to satisfy mortgage lenders, he said.
According to Environet’s research, approximately five per cent of homes are currently affected, either directly or indirectly (neighbouring an affected property), knocking around £20 billion off UK house prices.
The general public can help in the fight against knotweed by reporting suspicious plants using the heatmap’s ‘Add Sighting’ feature and attaching a photo to be verified by experts.
Mat Day, Environet’s regional director for Staffordshire, said: “Knowledge is power when it comes to Japanese knotweed and this heatmap is invaluable to homeowners and buyers who want to assess the risk in their local area.
“With the stamp duty holiday extended and lockdown restrictions beginning to ease, the property market is busier than ever – but failing to carry out the appropriate checks for knotweed can turn out to be an expensive mistake. Despite its fearsome reputation, with professional help, the plant can be dealt with and the value of a property largely restored. I’d urge anyone buying or selling a property, or homeowners wishing to preserve the value of their home, to be vigilant for signs of spring growth and check Exposed to see whether they live in a highrisk area.”