Japanese Knotweed

Lulu0110

There is a field behind my house that has a planning application. The council's ecological reporter emailed the council in March 2016 saying he had no response to his previous email in Oct 2015 stating the presence of Japanese Knotweed. I rang the council who shrugged and told me to contact the developers agent. As yet he has not replied. No one seems interested but it must be someones resonsibility? What can I do to make them act? thank you

xylophone

To whom does the field belong?

RDG

The developer/land owner doesn't have to do anything about the Knotweed provided it is contained within its site. It could be liable to prosecution if it allows it to spread into neighbouring land see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-the-spread-of-harmful-invasive-and-non-native-plants.

Developers will usually remove it to avoid any future claims by property buyers or damage to their own property if they are not selling.

I take it that the site doesn't have planning permission yet but is in the process, if they don't address the ecology officers comments the developer could have their application refused or it could be a condition of any permission that the Knotweed is controlled to the councils satisfaction.

Lulu0110

To previous question, the land has been used as agricultural land and belongs to a trust

Davesnave

Lulu0110 wrote: »

What can I do to make them act? thank you

Probably nothing, until they decide it is their interests to do so.

You don't say how far the knotweed is from your property boundary, but that, and other people's boundaries, come into the decision-making process.

moneyistooshorttomention

I'm a bit puzzled by the reference to a Council's "Ecology Officer". I wasnt aware Councils have any such person.

I've just googled the website of what I think is probably the most responsible Council in the country in this respect - ie Cornwall County Council - and could find no trace of a person with such a title.

Tried another Council of the pretty responsible variety - and they didnt either.

Is "Ecology Officer" the correct title for such a person?

hazyjo

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I'm a bit puzzled by the reference to a Council's "Ecology Officer". I wasnt aware Councils have any such person.

I've just googled the website of what I think is probably the most responsible Council in the country in this respect - ie Cornwall County Council - and could find no trace of a person with such a title.

Tried another Council of the pretty responsible variety - and they didnt either.

Is "Ecology Officer" the correct title for such a person?

The OP referred to it as "ecological reporter" - someone else further down possibly wrongly quoted them as an ecology officer.


Would have thought they have to assess ecological impact on any site...


Jx

Lulu0110

Yes, you are correct. its a person who's email ends essex.gov.uk who do the reports for the planning department.

TheGardener

The land owner - not a leaseholder or the council or potential developer - the land owner (any of the above if they actually own the land) is responsible for the JKW. As previously said - it is not an offence to have it on your land, but it is an offence to cause it to spread to another landowners land. The fact is the landowner at this stage doesn't have to act at all. If the JKW is at the point where it is - or is close to - invading another owners land then they do have to act.
At present - based on your email - there is nothing to take responsibility for.

cajef

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I've just googled the website of what I think is probably the most responsible Council in the country in this respect - ie Cornwall

Which just goes to show how little you know about JK in Cornwall.

daveyjp

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I'm a bit puzzled by the reference to a Council's "Ecology Officer". I wasnt aware Councils have any such person.

I've just googled the website of what I think is probably the most responsible Council in the country in this respect - ie Cornwall County Council - and could find no trace of a person with such a title.

Tried another Council of the pretty responsible variety - and they didnt either.

Is "Ecology Officer" the correct title for such a person?

Look harder and search for Ecologist. Most large Authorities have them to assess the impact of development on flora and fauna.