{"id":87159,"date":"2025-08-23T09:58:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T09:58:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/87159\/"},"modified":"2025-08-23T09:58:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T09:58:11","slug":"japanese-knotweed-spreading-extensively-in-seaside-town-water-front-as-locals-warn-it-could-devalue-property","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/87159\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese knotweed spreading ‘extensively’ in seaside town water front as locals warn it ‘could devalue property’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is Japanese knotweed invading YOUR house? Email eleanor.mann@mailonline.co.uk\u00a0<\/p>\n

By ELEANOR MANN <\/p>\n

Published: 04:11 EDT, 23 August 2025 | Updated: 04:11 EDT, 23 August 2025 <\/p>\n

Locals in a picturesque seaside town are fearing for their homes after the UK’s most ‘aggressive, destructive and invasive’ plant was discovered along the waterfront.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Japanese knotweed was found by a resident spreading along the stunning Hoe seafront in Plymouth, as homeowners nearby are now fearing that the invasive species will leave their properties worthless.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The plant – described by the Environment Agency as ‘indisputably the UK’s most aggressive, destructive and invasive plant’ – can grow through concrete and is almost impossible to remove.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was discovered along the cliff edge by local resident Martin Moore, who spotted what he described as an ‘extensive area of Japanese knotweed’ flourishing on the Hoe in a zone of ‘outstanding natural beauty next to the Corinthian cafe’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mr Moore told Plymouth Live<\/a>:\u00a0‘It is a prolific invasive species and takes over the natural habitat as it’s doing at the Hoe, it is spreading to the other side of the bushes.’<\/p>\n

After joking the weed is actually a delicacy in Japane, he added: ‘On the downside it could devalue property and requires professional eradication.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘We reported it to Plymouth Council through their dedicate Japanese Knotweed website weeks ago but no reply.’<\/p>\n

The discovery of Japanese knotweed along the cliff edge adds to the mounting cases of the plant across Plymouth – which is the most severely affected area for Japanese knotweed across the whole of Devon.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Japanese <\/p>\n

Japanese knotweed pictured along the cliff edge in Plymouth, Devon<\/p>\n

\"An <\/p>\n

An aerial picture shows the large section of Japanese knotweed that has taken over Hoe waterfront\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The invasive Japanese knotweed plant, which can grow through concrete and is almost impossible to remove\u00a0<\/p>\n

Insurers have reported that tackling knotweed costs the UK economy nearly \u00a3250 million a year – not just from damage to property, outbuildings and gardens, but also from the legal risks arising from encroachment or when properties are sold.<\/p>\n

Japanese knotweed was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the 19th century and can only be removed with costly specialist treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Left unchecked, it can quickly take over gardens and enter buildings through cracks or crevices, causing long-term damage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The plant is identifiable by its hard, bamboo-like canes and distinctive shield-shaped bright green leaves which grow in a zigzag pattern along the stem.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It usually emerges in March or April and grows rapidly to reach up to 2.5 metres in height by mid-summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But this year, experts have warned that Japanese knotweed is spreading more aggressively than ever due to recent bouts of warm weather.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Knotweed <\/p>\n

Knotweed has been spreading particularly fast this year due to warm weather conditions\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Plymouth <\/p>\n

Plymouth locals are now fearing the impact the plant will have on their property’s value<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The invasive plant was spotted growing on the cliff edge by a Plymouth resident\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The location of the Japanese knotweed on the cliff edge means that it will be particularly difficult to remove in this instance<\/p>\n

\"There <\/p>\n

There are now over 100,000 records of Japanese knotweed recorded in the UK annually\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Plymouth <\/p>\n

Plymouth City Council have assured locals that the knotweed will be tackled with ‘specialist equipment’<\/p>\n

Specialists have said that the prolonged warm weather has created ideal growing conditions for the pernicious plant, with late August and early September being prime time for flowering.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council said: ‘We’re aware of this case of Japanese knotweed and have treated it in previous years, but because of its perilous position on the face of a cliff, we are looking to schedule further treatment with specialist equipment.<\/p>\n

‘Rest assured, though, it’s on our radar and arrangements will be in place soon.’<\/p>\n

Across the UK, there are now over 100,000 infestations of Japanese knotweed recorded annually.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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