Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Japanese knotweed

I was visiting a friend at the weekend, who has a caravan on Swanage Bay View. She has Japanese Knotweed growing in her garden!!!!!Has anyone else in Swanage have this dreadful invasive and damaging weed? It seems the site are not doing anything about it till next spring!!!!!I read in a newspaper that someone was refused a mortgage due to having Japanese Knotweed on their land. Thats how damaging this weed is.
Concerned Swanage Ratepayer



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 2:58 PM
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34 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you think Darwin will do anything about this, forget it. They are spending no money on anything up at the park. I suggest the Council get involved.

8/6/10 5:34 pm
Anonymous said...

Of course Darwin don't want to spend any money. They are an investment portfolio who have to make money for their investors, most of whom are probably non-doms. They don't care about the town. Thanks, STC!

8/6/10 7:32 pm
Anonymous said...

So what can we do about this alien weed? this is serious.

9/6/10 1:53 am
The Postman said...

The Environment Agency says: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/31364.aspx

What to do if you find Japanese Knotweed on your premises

Legislation puts a duty of care on landowners to be proactive in the control and eradication of Japanese Knotweed. All parts of the plant and any soil contaminated with it are classified as controlled waste and are required legally to be removed and disposed of by a licensed waste control operator.

For more information or advice contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or phone 08708 506 506.

9/6/10 7:54 am
ethel said...

have sent this document to the park manager.

9/6/10 1:10 pm
FredMertz said...

Well done, Ethel.

Let's see what happens now.

9/6/10 6:13 pm
ethel said...

it should be mentioned in the forthcoming newsletter. as asked. I am seriously concerned that no other local people have made any comment. Do they not realise what a dangerious weed this is. It could invade Swanage

9/6/10 8:39 pm
FredMertz said...

It has invaded Swanage, Ethel! I wonder if Swanage Town Council cares?
Once they are informed, should they not impose some sort of enforcement order on Darwin, who could care less about this?

9/6/10 10:40 pm
Anonymous said...

Japanese knotweed is also on both sides of the ?public? footpath leading from the Grand Hotel to the beach !

9/6/10 11:00 pm
ethel said...

OMG what can we do???? tell the council, environment agency, dorset wildlife trust. do they access this site. or do we need to contact directly???????????

10/6/10 1:03 am
The Postman said...

These aren't triffids, set on smothering Swanage in the next few weeks. But they do need watching.

"Legislation puts a duty of care on landowners to be proactive in the control and eradication of Japanese Knotweed."

So if it's on Darwin land, it's up to Darwin. If they don't act, I suppose the Environment Agency might get involved.

If you see any anywhere else, I suggest you tell the landowner. Most paths and pavements are PDC. If in doubt, ask the Town Council.

I've pointed out another site to the Acting Town Clerk, and he knows about Bayview (but that's not a Town Council responsibility now, unless it has a direct impact on the town).

10/6/10 7:58 am
Anonymous said...

The knotweed in Burlington Chine has been there for years. It has not destroyed what passes for Civilisation in New Swanage, or to give it the estate agent's newspeak name North Swanage.

I don't see how there can be any question of "enforcement" orders as there is nothing to enforce. If you go to the trouble of reading the Environment Agency Code of Practice before commenting you discover it makes is clear that is perfectly legal to have knotweed growing on your property.

You are merely exhorted to remove it and there are regulations about its disposal and the disposal of the soil it grew in if you do remove it but getting rid of it is voluntary.

Sorry to spoil the fun of running down Darwin and the council.

10/6/10 10:34 am
Unknown said...

Get her to look at www.knotweed-uk.com for a free site visit and quote

10/6/10 12:28 pm
ethel said...

Japanese Knotweed Laws

www.jksl.com/the-law Legal issues surrounding Japanese Knotweed - Does'nt sound harmless to me.

10/6/10 2:39 pm
ethel said...

Blown my cover now. Stupid me.

11/6/10 5:02 pm
Anonymous said...

Thats the website of a firm that makes its living removing the stuff so naturally they present it in the most dramatic way. Nobody questions that it is unpleasant but there is no duty in law to remove it which limits what the council can do somewhat. rhalmst

12/6/10 10:05 am
Anonymous said...

"Santander is among a string of high street lenders – including Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays – who are now refusing mortgage applicants if knotweed is deemed to threaten a property."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/7768301/Homeowner-turned-down-for-mortgage-due-to-Japanese-Knotweed-in-garden.html

12/6/10 2:51 pm
FredMertz said...

Seeing how grass cutting at the park has ceased, and how weeds are growing around caravans (both the responsibility of Darwin), I think it is unlikely Darwin gives a hoot about Japanese knotweed.

14/6/10 2:48 pm
Anonymous said...

Darwin do seem to be acting as if they are strapped for cash. Best though to keep the knotweed away from the concrete edifice that is the Vista Complex, if only to avoid buildings insurance complications.

14/6/10 7:49 pm
FredMertz said...

Darwin probably sees little point in spending money on the park until it 'wins' the fee increase issue. Until then, it is probably willing to let our 'experience' deteriorate until we give in.

14/6/10 9:23 pm
FredMertz said...

Meanwhile the grass grows uncut and weeds are propagating like...weeds. Has Darwin sacked the crew who cuts? Perhaps it is their holiday?
The place looks a right shambles.

15/6/10 7:28 pm
Brownedoff said...

One of the crew has been on honeymoon for 3 weeks, the other cannot work alone with strimmers - H&S. Observed them both at work last Mon, did my patch, heard them being instructed to see to no.19, a vacant pitch. Sooo more important to get these up to standard for sales to happen??

16/6/10 9:30 pm
Anonymous said...

I remember in the past STC would bring in outside contractors to keep up with the landscaping. This is going to be one almighty mess to sort out. I haven't seen the park look so bad - ever!

It almost makes one nostalgic for the good old days of Nick Pearce!

16/6/10 10:42 pm
Anonymous said...

We are cutting our own grass now. Darwin is CR@p!

19/6/10 6:40 pm
Anonymous said...

I don't know about knotweed up at SBV, but Darwin is holding a free haymaking session for those who would like hay to feed their horse. Just come up to Swanage Bay View (just look for the swaying hayfield up the hill) and help yourself to as much as you can cut - Darwin has stopped caring for the park!!

20/6/10 2:19 pm
Anonymous said...

2.19 LOL!! Maybe the rumours are true that Darwin is running out of money (and that a lot of local traders haven't been paid).

21/6/10 3:16 pm
Anonymous said...

Is it Japanese Knot Weed growing in the garden of the flats Just below the Minterne in Park Road? The leaves look similar

24/6/10 8:21 pm
grockle said...

Where is Minterne, Park Rd? I would like to have a look. Thanks

25/6/10 10:32 pm
Anonymous said...

Minterne is the dirt lane running adjacent to Park Rd on the east side.

STC will not deal with Japanese knotweed.

26/6/10 7:20 pm
Anonymous said...

Park road is not an unmade road. It runs southwards from the High Street between Jenkins and the Pizza restaurant. The unmade road east of Park Road is Sentry Road. The Minterne flats are half way up on the left. Google maps show it if you search for minterne swanage. Street view shows the suspect plant just below the boundary wall but it is rather fuzzy.

6/7/10 7:52 pm
Anonymous said...

Sorry, forgot to say Minterne is a former hotel converted into flats and not a road. I thought everyone in town know of it or I would have been more explicit. Almost the whole road was hotels and guest houses at one time, long ago, when I was young.

6/7/10 7:57 pm
Anonymous said...

Forget the knotweed!!! SBV is becoming a gated community!! Gates are being installed as I type!! Cards are required for entrance!! If you haven't paid up, you won't be admitted!!!

This is not a joke.

15/7/10 8:19 pm
ethel said...

So a visitor cannot come up to see you.
Great time for this work - in the season.

Cannot stop access for anyone who owns a caravan on site - its illegal
What about people who are renting?

Interesting to see how this will be policed.

17/7/10 7:13 pm
Japanese knotweed said...

Its becoming really popular now to eat knotweed. Theres some amazing recipes online. Although this wont eradicate the problem, it may keep it under control under bigger measures of eradication can be put in place. Just a thought i'd like to share.

Anyone thinking of trying to cook with the weed try the recipe below, its actually delicious!

3/8/10 2:54 pm

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