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Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners warned about destructive plant 'as bad as knotweed'
Gardening experts have raised concerns about this seemingly innocent-looking plant which can cause "significant damage" to buildings Buddleia might add a dash of colour to UK gardens, but these purple plants have already caused significant distress about their potential to cause considerable damage to properties. Experts fear that the plant, which is also known as the "butterfly bush", can be problematic for homeowners and some have already equated its level of threat to another notorious horticultural hazard, Japanese knotweed. Environmental Controls, a company specialising in removing invasive weeds, has warned homeowners regarding the often underestimated dangers of buddleia. Beloved for its attractive blooms, the plant is notorious for tearing through buildings, exploiting any weakness, such as cracks and fragile mortar, similar to the feared knotweed. Speaking on the matter, company spokesman Jennifer Holmes said: "Both buddleia and knotweed can cause significant damage to building structures, however buddleia is less likely to damage underground infrastructure due to its shallow root system. "Both are highly invasive and difficult to eradicate, but buddleia (unlike knotweed) can grow in hard to access areas such as roofs, guttering, window sills and walls – basically anywhere that a seed lands it can grow. Knotweed, on the other hand, requires its roots to be on the ground in order to form plants, and quickly spreads." Jennifer pointed out that buddleia's rapid growth, reaching heights up to 15 feet – dwarfing Japanese knotweed – should be of significant concern for those owning property. Despite these warnings, buddleia remains unlisted on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, thus UK residents are still at liberty to plant it in their gardens, reports Devon Live. Experts are warning homeowners to be vigilant for the aggressive plant, particularly if it's not a controlled garden plant. Keep an eye out for it sprouting from neglected corners of roofs and walls where it flourishes unnoticed, and tackle eradication before it takes root. Japanese knotweed is subject to stringent legal controls due to its invasive nature and potential to cause property damage. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is an offence to plant or cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild. Property owners are legally obliged to prevent the spread of Japanese knotweed from their land to neighbouring properties. Japanese knotweed is classified as controlled waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Its disposal must adhere to specific regulations to prevent environmental contamination. The presence of Japanese knotweed can impact property sales and mortgage approvals. Sellers are required to disclose its presence, and failure to do so can lead to legal repercussions. Effective management often requires professional treatment over several years. DIY removal is discouraged due to the plant's resilience and the risk of spreading.
Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Scotland's Ecocide Bill is pure moral posturing
Here we go again. The Scottish parliament risks embarking on yet another exercise in legislative virtue signalling: the Labour MSP Monica Lennon's emotively titled Ecocide Bill. The Scottish government is reportedly looking favourably on this legislation, which would make destroying the environment a criminal offence punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Needless to say, destroying the environment – intentionally or recklessly – is already illegal under numerous statutes: the Environmental Protection Act, the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and the Climate Change Act, to name but three. But, like the ill-fated Named Person Act, the Gender Recognition Reform Bill or the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, this Ecocide Bill is designed to 'send a message'. That message being: damaging the environment is a really, very bad thing indeed and should be opposed by all right-thinking people. Much like those earlier legislative missteps, the unintelligible Ecocide Bill, if it goes the distance, will repealed, ignored, or, most likely, ruled ultra vires – beyond the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Davinia Taylor wins battle to transform £1.7m mansion – as she cashes in on bio-hacking transformation
The stunning home boasts amazing features, including cornice ceiling and working fireplaces with countryside views TAYLOR-MADE Davinia Taylor wins battle to transform £1.7m mansion – as she cashes in on bio-hacking transformation Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ACTRESS Davinia Taylor has won her battle to turn a barn into a gym and health spa at her historic country home - but will have to make room for bats. The former Hollyoaks star has splashed out on a Grand Designs-style makeover of her £1.7million rural retreat which boasts a new outdoor swimming pool. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 9 Actress Davinia Taylor has won her battle to turn a barn into a gym and health spa at her historic country home - but will have to make room for bats Credit: Dan Charity 9 The star's stunning home is set to get a glow up Credit: Instagram 9 She plans on turning a barn into a gym and health spa at the huge pad Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia Taylor played Jude Cunningham in Channel 4's Hollyoaks from 1996 to 1998 and reprised the role in 2016 Credit: Getty - Contributor Now the weight loss expert wants to convert a crumbling barn at the 19th Century pad into a private gym and health spa with a sauna and two treatment rooms. The former stables will also have a ground floor gym, lobby and staff quarters with an en-suite bedroom for an employee to help run the estate in Lancashire. But a bat survey carried out ahead of the proposed development found common pipistrelle bats - a protected species - flying into the barn. It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to intentionally or recklessly harm or disturb them, which means Davinia will have to put up special bat boxes on the barn and nearby trees. In their report, an ecologist said: "Due to the transient nature of bats, their presence can never be entirely ruled out and a precautionary method of working should be adopted. "Therefore if bats are found during any stage of the development, work should stop immediately and a suitably qualified ecologist should be contacted to seek further advice." Davinia, 47, played Jude Cunningham in Hollyoaks and is also a former party girl and member of the Primrose Hill set, having previously been married to David Beckham's pal Dave Gardner. She and husband Matthew Leyden bought their historic country home four years ago after it came onto the market for the first time in years. The 6,723 property boasts original period features including cornice ceiling and working fireplaces with stunning countryside views in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Davinia has previously been given the go-ahead for a garden room extension and 26x9ft swimming pool, and has now applied for a "change of use" of the barn to a residential annexe. Davinia Taylor: My health journey In a design statement, her planning agent said: "The front-facing elevation is in a very poor state of repair and requires complete rebuilding. "The conversion of the barn does not affect the existing domestic residential curtilage and, as such, will not result in undue harm to the visual amenity of the area or character of landscape. "Bats were found to be present and, as such, the relevant protective measures must be adhered to on commencement of any restoration works/alterations." Officials at the local council gave the go-ahead after there were no objections from neighbours in the designated conservation area. 9 Davinia often posts videos from inside her luxury home Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia has previously been given the go-ahead for a garden room extension and 26x9ft swimming pool Credit: Instagram 9 The star turned her back on acting in favour of becoming a health and fitness guru Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia's partner Matthew Leyden Credit: Instagram
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Davinia Taylor wins battle to transform £1.7m mansion – as she cashes in on bio-hacking transformation
ACTRESS Davinia Taylor has won her battle to turn a barn into a gym and health spa at her historic country home - but will have to make room for bats. The former Hollyoaks star has splashed out on a Grand Designs-style makeover of her £1.7million rural retreat which boasts a new outdoor swimming pool. Advertisement 9 Actress Davinia Taylor has won her battle to turn a barn into a gym and health spa at her historic country home - but will have to make room for bats Credit: Dan Charity 9 The star's stunning home is set to get a glow up Credit: Instagram 9 She plans on turning a barn into a gym and health spa at the huge pad Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia Taylor played Jude Cunningham in Channel 4's Hollyoaks from 1996 to 1998 and reprised the role in 2016 Credit: Getty - Contributor Now the The former stables will also have a ground floor gym, lobby and staff quarters with an en-suite bedroom for an employee to help run the estate in Lancashire. But a bat survey carried out ahead of the proposed development found common pipistrelle bats - a protected species - flying into the barn. It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to intentionally or recklessly harm or disturb them, which means Davinia will have to put up special bat boxes on the barn and nearby trees. Advertisement Read More on Davinia Taylor In their report, an ecologist said: "Due to the transient nature of bats, their presence can never be entirely ruled out and a precautionary method of working should be adopted. "Therefore if bats are found during any stage of the development, work should stop immediately and a suitably qualified ecologist should be contacted to seek further advice." Davinia, 47, played Jude Cunningham in Hollyoaks and is also a former party girl and member of the Primrose Hill set, having previously been married to David Beckham's pal Dave Gardner. She and husband Matthew Leyden bought their historic country home four years ago after it came onto the market for the first time in years. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity The 6,723 property boasts original period features including cornice ceiling and working fireplaces with stunning countryside views in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Davinia has previously been given the go-ahead for a garden room extension and 26x9ft swimming pool, and has now applied for a "change of use" of the barn to a residential annexe. Davinia Taylor: My health journey In a design statement, her planning agent said: "The front-facing elevation is in a very poor state of repair and requires complete rebuilding. "The conversion of the barn does not affect the existing domestic residential curtilage and, as such, will not result in undue harm to the visual amenity of the area or character of landscape. Advertisement "Bats were found to be present and, as such, the relevant protective measures must be adhered to on commencement of any restoration works/alterations." Officials at the local council gave the go-ahead after there were no objections from neighbours in the designated conservation area. 9 Davinia often posts videos from inside her luxury home Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia has previously been given the go-ahead for a garden room extension and 26x9ft swimming pool Credit: Instagram Advertisement 9 The star turned her back on acting in favour of becoming a health and fitness guru Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia's partner Matthew Leyden Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia starring in Hollyoaks Credit: Lime Pictures
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Osprey eggs set to hatch for second consecutive year
The only pair of breeding ospreys in southern England have laid four eggs at their nest site for the second year in a row. Ospreys typically lay three eggs, so for four to be laid two years on the run is highly unusual and it would be "unprecedented" if all four hatch again this year, according to the Birds of Poole Harbour group. A reintroduction programme began in Poole Harbour, Dorset, in 2017 and in 2022 female CJ7 and male 022 became the first nesting pair of ospreys on the south coast of England in 180 years. Liv Elwood, Birds of Poole Harbour manager, said: "The team at Birds of Poole Harbour are delighted to see CJ7 lay four eggs for the second time." Ospreys are classed as Schedule 1 species, which means that they have the highest level of protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. The birds share incubation duties, with males also responsible for hunting to feed the pair during this period. Hatching is expected to start towards the end of this month. Ms Elwood said: "This nest is so important for the recolonisation of this special species on the south coast, and every chick that fledges from the nest is a reason to celebrate. "We can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds." Interest in the ospreys has been significant, with live-stream webcams allowing viewers to observe the nesting process. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Osprey pair lay first egg of the season Osprey pair embroiled in love triangle Videos capture ospreys' successful breeding year Osprey project sees last chick take to the skies Birds of Poole Harbour
