Latest news with #Environet
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The hotspots for Japanese knotweed in Somerset
JAPANESE knotweed season is underway, and North Somerset residents are being urged to check for local infestations. According to invasive plant specialist Environet, there are 583 verified sightings of Japanese knotweed in Somerset, with 0.36 cases per square mile. The figures come from Exposed: The Japanese Knotweed Heatmap, an online tool that tracks more than 100,000 verified sightings across the UK. The map allows the public to search by postcode, view infestation risk levels, and submit new reports with photos for expert verification. Here are the top Japanese knotweed hotspots in Somerset for 2025: 1 Bath - 159 2 Portishead - 37 3 Clevedon - 30 4 Weston-Super-Mare - 24 5 Keynsham - 21 =6 Taunton - 15 =6 Winscombe - 14 8 Wincanton - 12 9 Radstock - 11 10 Nailsea - 11 Japanese knotweed, introduced to the UK in the Victorian era, spreads via underground rhizomes that can grow up to 3 metres deep and 7 metres wide. While serious structural damage is rare, the plant can lower property values and lead to disputes. A DEFRA report estimated the annual cost of tackling knotweed in the UK at nearly £250 million. Environet Director Emily Grant said: 'By mapping verified sightings, we're helping people understand the level of risk in their local area and encouraging early identification and treatment.'
Western Telegraph
4 days ago
- General
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire named among Wales' top knotweed hotspots
Figures released by invasive plant specialists Environet reported almost two thousand sightings of the destructive plant in the county in the last 12 months. Newport in Gwent was named the country's worst hotspot for sightings of the plant. Why Japanese Knotweed is a Problem Japanese knotweed is considered one of the most invasive and destructive plants in the UK. Known for its rapid growth and aggressive root system, it can reach up to three metres underground and seven metres horizontally, often pushing through concrete, tarmac, driveways, drains and even cavity walls. While it rarely causes structural damage directly, its presence can significantly reduce property value by around 5% on average and complicate the process of selling or securing a mortgage. Legal disputes between neighbours are not uncommon when the plant spreads across property boundaries. Knotweed is legally classified as a controlled plant under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. While having it on your land isn't illegal, allowing it to spread especially into the wild or onto neighbouring properties can result in prosecution or enforcement action. Using data from their interactive heatmap Exposed, the company revealed the locations across the UK with the most verified knotweed sightings and Wales is home to some of the highest concentrations. In total, Newport city recorded 1,747 verified sightings, while Rogerstone alone saw 268 cases, making the area one of the most affected nationwide. The Vale of Glamorgan had 434 reports, and Pembrokeshire saw 1,943, with 0.46 sightings per square mile still higher than the average in England. The invasive plant, which thrives in spring and summer, can cause serious structural issues if left unmanaged. While severe damage is rare, it can reduce a property's value by around 5% and lead to disputes if it spreads between properties. Environet's data shows Wales has 3.9 knotweed sightings per square mile, compared to 1.1 in England. Emily Grant, director at Environet, said: 'By mapping verified sightings, we're helping people understand the level of risk in their local area and encouraging early identification and treatment." She added that this time of year makes knotweed easy to spot, with its heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like stems. The company offers free identification if members of the public email a photograph to their experts. The heatmap, which draws from over 100,000 verified cases, allows users to enter their postcode to check local infestations, and even add new sightings with photos to aid nationwide awareness and treatment. Other Welsh areas in the top 10 include: Cardiff: 949 Swansea: 936 Llanelli: 693 Neath: 396 More rural counties such as Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Carmarthenshire also saw hundreds of sightings.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
The top 10 japanese knotweed hotspots in Wales have been revealed
The "top ten" locations in Wales affected by Japanese knotweed have been identified. As the growing season for Japanese knotweed is in full swing, this invasive species can cause damage to properties, patios, paving and decrease the value of land. Invasive plant expert Environet has now disclosed the Welsh areas most affected by knotweed in 2025, using the latest figures from its online heatmap tool, Exposed: The Japanese Knotweed Heatmap. In total, there are 31,338 confirmed sightings of knotweed across Wales, equating to 3.9 instances per square mile, which is significantly higher than England's rate of 1.1 instances per square mile. Now featuring more than 100,000 recorded instances of the UK's most pervasive plant, the map is updated with new confirmed sightings throughout the year, offering the most thorough online record of Japanese knotweed in the country. READ MORE: Man beat up, stripped naked and 'paraded' through village while people filmed act of humiliation READ MORE: Man suffers multiple stab wounds as police make public plea The public can input their postcode to find out the number of sightings in their vicinity, with high-risk areas marked in yellow, orange or, in severe cases, red. This helps them gauge the potential risk to their property or one they're considering purchasing. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here They can also contribute to the heatmap by reporting knotweed infestations using the 'Add Sighting' function and attaching a photo of the plant for expert verification. The data shows the worst places in Wales are Newport city, Cardiff city and Swansea city. Wales' Top 10 Japanese knotweed hotspots for 2025 are: Incidences 1. Newport city - 1,239 2. Cardiff city - 949 3. Swansea city - 936 4. Llanelli, Carmarthenshire - 693 5. Betws-y-Coed, Conwy - 421 6. Neath, Neath Port Talbot - 396 7. Dolwyddelan, Conwy - 298 8. Llanafan, Ceredigion - 289 9. Rogerstone, Newport - 268 10. Tanygrisiau, Gwynedd - 254 Japanese knotweed made its debut in Britain during the Victorian era, arriving in a collection of plant specimens sent to Kew Gardens and was swiftly embraced by gardeners and horticulturalists who remained oblivious to its destructive potential. The plant starts sprouting in early spring, rapidly developing into dense green bushes featuring pink-speckled stems, heart-shaped foliage and bamboo-style canes. However, it can create significant headaches for property owners. Its subterranean root system can extend up to three metres downwards and stretch up to seven metres sideways, pushing through gaps in concrete, tarmac drives, walkways, drainage systems and cavity walls. Whilst severe property damage remains uncommon, mortgage providers demand knotweed treatment before property sales, potentially triggering neighbourhood disputes and reducing property values by roughly five per cent, according to Environet. A 2023 DEFRA study estimated the expense of addressing knotweed costs the UK economy almost £250 million annually. Environet Director Emily Grant commented: "By mapping verified sightings, we're helping people understand the level of risk in their local area and encouraging early identification and treatment. "Vigilance is the best way to protect your property from Japanese knotweed, making sure you tackle it as early as possible before it becomes well established. At this time of year, knotweed is in full growth mode and easy to spot with its bright green heart-shaped leaves which grow in a zigzag pattern up the stems. "Mature plants flower around August, when they produce clusters of tiny white blooms." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Do YOU live in a Japanese knotweed hotspot? Here's how to spot and get rid of it
Bristol is the Japanese knotweed 'capital of England', new data from Environet shows. In the year to date, there have been 1,440 reported sightings of Japanese knotweed in the South West city, according to the findings. Merseyside is another hotspot for Japanese knotweed, with 2,963 sightings reported, but spanning a less dense area, at 11.87 episodes per square mile compared to 33.91 in Bristol. Greater London is the third most prevalent Japanese knotweed hub, with 4,687 reported sightings and 7.74 incidents per square mile. Lancashire came out in fourth place, seeing a hefty 8,612 sightings spanning 7.25 episodes per square mile. Residents in Greater Manchester also need to be on high alert for Japanese knotweed, with the area seeing 3,558 Japanese knotweed reports, translating to 7.22 incidents per square mile. Spanning further afield, the Isle of Man, a self-governing British crown dependency, also reached the top 10, as did the Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, Derbyshire and Nottingham, followed closely by the West Midlands and Surrey. What is Japanese knotweed? According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Japanese knotweed is a persistent, clump-forming herbaceous perennial, which was introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden plant but has since become an invasive weed subject to legal control measures. Japanese knotweed first arrived in Britain in the Victorian times in a box of plant specimens delivered to Kew Gardens and was quickly adopted by gardeners and horticulturalists, who were unaware of its invasive nature. Since then it has spread widely, with an average of 1.1 occurrences in every square mile of England and 3.9 in Wales, according to Environet. Japanese knotweed can grow in most soil conditions found in Britain, particularly in man-made habitats, such as roadsides, waste ground, railway embankments and cuttings and spoil tips. It is also commonly found along rivers and streams. Why is Japanese knotweed common in locations like Bristol? Speaking to This is Money, Emily Grant, a director at Environet, said: 'It's likely that Japanese knotweed is most prolific near ports such as Bristol, Liverpool and Cardiff, because of historical shopping and trading practices.' She added: 'In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries ships would return from all over the world carrying ballast, which often included soil containing non-native plant material like knotweed. 'That was then dumped to make way for the next cargo, and it quickly took hold. It may also have been planted deliberately to stabilise railway embankments and slag heaps. 'In industrial areas like Manchester, Lancashire and the Midlands, extensive soil movement from mining and construction accelerated its spread.' How can I spot Japanese knotweed? Japanese knotweed begins to emerge in early spring, quickly growing into lush green shrubs with pink-flecked stems, heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like canes. In August it starts flowering with bunches of tiny creamy-white blooms that hang in tassels. It can pose serious problems for homeowners, with underground rhizomes that can grow up to three metres deep and spread up to seven metres horizontally, emerging through cracks in concrete, tarmac driveways, pathways, drains and cavity walls. While serious damage to property is rare, mortgage lenders require knotweed to be dealt with when a property is sold, meaning it can cause legal disputes between neighbours and reduce a property's value. Environet estimates that the presence of Japanese knotweed at a property can reduce its value by 5 per cent, though this is variable and will depend on the scale of the problem. A 2023 Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs report put the cost of tackling knotweed to the economy at nearly £250million per year. What should I do if I suspect Japanese knotweed? The government's website states: 'You must stop Japanese knotweed on your land from spreading off your property. 'Soil or plant material contaminated with non-native and invasive plants like Japanese knotweed can cause ecological damage and may be classified as controlled waste. 'You do not legally have to remove Japanese knotweed from your land unless it's causing a nuisance, but you can be prosecuted for causing it to spread into the wild.' If you do notice knotweed, you do not need to report it, but if it is on your property you should act sooner rather than later. 'The more it grows, the more it will cost to remove', Grant told This is Money. You will not be able to sell your property until you have had any Japanese knotweed professionally dealt with, and you could be at risk of a legal claim from a neighbour if you leave it to spread. Grant added: 'From there a treatment plan can be put in place, whether it's herbicide, removal, or a combination of both. 'Whatever option you go for, be sure to get an insurance-backed guarantee so if it starts to regrow you know you're covered – and that's what mortgage lenders will expect when you come to sell your property.' Japanese knotweed must be carefully disposed of carefully. If you cannot dispose of it suitably on site, you must send it to a landfill site or incineration facility that has the correct type of permit. It is best not to try and tackle a Japanese knotweed invasion yourself, unless you have appropriate training, skills and equipment. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
The three North Wales villages that are hotspots for invader that can damage homes
The "top ten" places in Wales blighted by Japanese knotweed have been named - and three are in North Wales. With the Japanese knotweed growing season now well underway, invasive plant can damage properties, patios and paving and devalue land. Now invasive plant specialist Environet has revealed Wales's knotweed hotspots for 2025 using the latest data from its online tracker, Exposed: The Japanese Knotweed Heatmap. There are a total of 31,338 verified knotweed sightings in Wales, or 3.9 incidences in every square mile, compared to 1.1 incidences per square mile in England. They show the worst places in this region are Betws-y-Coed and Dolwyddelan in Conwy, and Tanygrisiau in Gwynedd. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday READ MORE: Glory days back at sandy Anglesey beach invaded by unwelcome visitors READ MORE: North Wales landmark is one of the main 'characters' in dark, psychological thriller Now populated with over 100,000 known incidences of the UK's most invasive plant, the map is updated with new verified sightings throughout the year, say Environet. This provides the most comprehensive online record of Japanese knotweed in the country, it claims. Members of the public can enter their postcode to discover the number of sightings nearby, with hotspots highlighted in yellow, orange or in the worst cases red, helping them understand the level of risk posed to their home or one they wish to buy. They can also help populate the heatmap by reporting knotweed infestations using the 'Add Sighting' feature and attaching a photograph of the plant so it can be verified by experts. Wales's Top 10 Japanese knotweed hotspots for 2025 are: Incidences 1 Newport city - 1,239 2 Cardiff city - 949 3 Swansea city - 936 4 Llanelli, Camarthenshire - 693 5 Betws-y-Coed, Conwy - 421 6 Neath, Neath Port Talbot - 396 7 Dolwyddelan, Conwy - 298 8 Llanafan, Ceredigion - 289 9 Rogerstone, Newport - 268 10 Tanygrisiau, Gwynedd - 254 Japanese knotweed first arrived in UK in the Victorian times in a box of plant specimens delivered to Kew Gardens and was quickly adopted by gardeners and horticulturalists, who were unaware of its invasive nature. Knotweed begins to emerge in early spring, quickly growing into lush green shrubs with pink-flecked stems, heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like canes. But it can pose serious problems for homeowners. Its underground rhizomes that can grow up to three metres deep and spread up to seven metres horizontally, emerging through cracks in concrete, tarmac driveways, pathways, drains and cavity walls. While serious damage to property is rare, since mortgage lenders require knotweed to be dealt with when a property is sold, it can cause legal disputes between neighbours and reduce a property's value by approximately five per cent, say Environet. A 2023 DEFRA report put the cost of tackling knotweed to the UK economy at nearly £250 million a year. Environet Director Emily Grant said: 'By mapping verified sightings, we're helping people understand the level of risk in their local area and encouraging early identification and treatment. 'Vigilance is the best way to protect your property from Japanese knotweed, making sure you tackle it as early as possible before it becomes well established. At this time of year, knotweed is in full growth mode and easy to spot with its bright green heart-shaped leaves which grow in a zigzag pattern up the stems. "Mature plants flower around August, when they produce clusters of tiny white blooms."
