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Couple are forced to demolish their £300k four-bed home after it was invaded by Japanese knotweed

By Valerie Elliott

Last updated at 7:28 PM on 23rd October 2011




It's the scourge of the suburbs, feared by homeowners and gardeners.
Now a couple have been told their newbuild home must be demolished to rid it of an invasion of Japanese knotweed.
Matthew Jones and fiancee Sue Banks have seen the value of their four-bedroom house in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, almost wiped out – dropping from £305,000 to £50,000 – as a result of the damage.



Under attack: Matthew Jones with the knotweed



Moving in: The knotweed has pierced floors and skirting boards at Matthew and Sue's home


The weed has spread along the brick walls, forced its way through flooring and sprouted over skirting boards. What was once their dream home is in danger of collapse.
The couple, who had twins Ethan and Ella eight months ago, have been told that unless the detached house is demolished and 10ft of soil removed from beneath the foundations it will be impossible to sell.
There was no sign of the plant when the couple bought the house two years ago, believing it to be the ideal location to bring up a young family.
But it was growing unnoticed on wasteland next to the property. Slowly it crept over the garden fence and took over the lawn before forcing its way into the house.


Upheaval: Matthew and Sue face losing their home because of the weed



Mr Jones, 38, who runs a car-hire firm, says the house has become 'a home from hell'. And the couple fear being sued for damages, leaving them with an even greater bill, if the weed spreads to neighbouring homes in the quiet cul-de-sac.
Mr Jones learnt about the superweed when he called in an expert from Broxbourne Council.
'He took one look and knew what it was straight away. He told us to get a solicitor involved,' said Mr Jones.
The owner of the wasteland it spread from is legally responsible to clear the area of the plant – but officials failed to track down the person responsible. The couple then called in experts who advised them that demolition was the only option.
'The problem is there is no guarantee the pesticides will work. The treatment will take three to five years and will cost £25,000. It will also mean that each time we treat the weeds we will have to dig up the flooring,' said Mr Jones.


THE 'DEADLY' INVADER... AND HOW TO TACKLE IT


Japanese knotweed – which has the scientific name fallopia japonica – was introduced into Britain by the Victorians.

Incredibly invasive, it can grow 4in a day from April to October and a tiny root can establish itself as a plant in just ten days.

Apparently solid structures such as tarmac and flooring in houses are no barrier to its growth and the weed also creates a risk of flooding if leaves clog waterways.

Knotweed is recognised by its shovel-shaped leaves, bamboo-like stem and white flowers produced in autumn.

If you discover the plant on your property these are some of the steps you should take to prevent further problems:

•  Immediately create a 21ft exclusion zone around the suspect plant.
• Do an initial spray with glyphosate-based weed killer.
• Do not excavate or move soil from the exclusion zone without instruction from the local authority.
• Cutting should be done with sharp secateurs or pull it out by hand to avoid dispersal of fragments.
• Wash feet and clean shoes when leaving the contaminated area.
• If you cut down knotweed, you can burn it on site or bury it – 16ft deep, covered with a root-barrier membrane and with inert topsoil – with permission from the Environment Agency. Material taken from the site must be disposed of at a licensed facility.

'We've got our twins now and we don't want these chemicals in the house. And you can imagine the upheaval we would have to go through every year in the spring and summer. We don't want it.'
Japanese knotweed was introduced to Britain by the Victorians as an ornamental plant but now costs £150million a year to control.
It can grow 4in a day and as its tendrils spread horizontally underground they can bring down walls, erode foundations and break up paving, drains and driveways.
The couple are now suing solicitors Roberts of Macclesfield, who handled the purchase of the house.
The are seeking £400,000 compensation and claim that the solicitors failed to ensure there was a National House-Building Council warranty which provides the insurance cover for ten years in the event of any problems.
The solicitors entirely deny liability and contest the claim.
Invader: Japanese knotweed is sprouting up through the floors

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-knotweed.html

[KeettyGlots]

That plant is from hell, even if it can be eaten, at some stages.

[giftplas]

How lame. He could not protect his castle from a 4 inch a day invasion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasive_species
While all species compete to survive, invasive species appear to have specific traits or combinations of specific traits that allow them to outcompete native species. Sometimes they just have the ability to grow and reproduce more rapidly than native species; other times it is more complex, involving a number of traits and interactions.

Studies seem to indicate certain traits mark a species as potentially invasive. One study found that of a list of invasive and noninvasive species, 86% of the invasive species could be identified from the traits alone. Another study found invasive species tended only to have a small subset of the invasive traits, and that many of these invasive traits were found in noninvasive species, as well indicating that invasiveness involves complex interaction not easily categorized. It seems kind of upside down we call this weed [k]not-weed?

[KeettyGlots]

Yea

But this shit has a root system like bamboo,

Ever try and kill a bamboo patch out? Harder than hell to do it.

[Affolfembonge]

I doubt they need to take the house down to combat this, Just cut off the stems and inject some herbicide that spreads through the plant. I think they are just lazy and prefer to sue for damages for a house which is otherwise underwater, probably bad advice from experts and solicitors, who are interested in earning a lot of money from this...

[AccusaJalsBub]

[B]dropping from £305,000 to £50,000 –

Just like an American house and we don't even need the knotwood. They sure do things the hard way over there

[fetesiceWaist]

Debtweed... Hahaha, that's a good one, Solid.

[Kghyutgykim]

i have some shit i can spray on that and it will be gone

[Z2sc8gEz]

i have some shit i can spray on that and it will be gone

Does it start with the letters A and O?

[Patamuta]

No problem , find a use or claim to find a use for the plant that will replace a high profit prescription med. and it will be banned and destroyed in no time.

[Karensmith]

Who's up for planting some Japanese knotweed outside some Federal Reserve buildings?

[freddyujnf]

i have some shit i can spray on that and it will be gone

"where diesel goes- NOTHING grows"