Japanese knotweed
Japanese knotweed is a problem because it spreads very easily via underground root like stems called rhizomes. It can cause structural damage in buildings, delay construction work, and its presence can prevent lenders giving a mortgage to affected properties.
How to identify Japanese knotweed
Japanese knotweed can grow to over three metres tall and forms dense thickets. It dies back to dead, rigid stems in winter, only to regrow more vigorously the next growing season. Some of the distinctive features of the plant are:
- zig zag stems
- lush, green, shield-shaped leaves
- purple speckled stems
- white flowers in summer
Japanese knotweed on council land
If you see any Japanese knotweed on council land, please contact us.
Japanese knotweed on private land
Japanese knotweed is the landowner’s responsibility. If you don’t know who the landowner is, you can contact the Land Registry.
If it is on your land, you must not let it spread either into the wild or onto someone else’s property. You can either treat it yourself, or by hiring a specialist company. It can take a number of years to get rid of Japanese knotweed.
Rules when dealing with Japanese knotweed
Waste material from these plants is classed as ‘controlled waste’ under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It must be disposed of at a suitably licensed or permitted waste site. There are no waste sites within Bridgend County Borough registered to accept Japanese knotweed.
Japanese knotweed is listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is subject to Section 14 of this Act. It is an offence to plant or cause this species to grow in the wild. This can include spreading it by strimming, flailing or dumping contaminated material.