New Japanese Knotweed Legislation 2014
PBA Solutions is offering free training to councils and the police in light of the invasive weed/Japanese knotweed anti-social behaviour bill.
In light of the rising number of disputes over the destructive nature of invasive plants (in particular Japanese knotweed), the government has introduced an anti-social behavioural order that can apply to invasive weeds. This new legislations gives hope to people who until now have had to live with other peoples’ invasive weeds without recourse.
Leading invasive weed company PBA Solutions is offering free CPD-style seminars to councils and the police in order to help them get up to speed on how to deal with invasive weed incidents and what actions they should take in order to provide and safe and decisive resolution.
These same weeds have also caused homeowners problems with their ability to secure mortgages or property sales in recent years so this new bill should help to resolve disputes where the root of the problem is an invasive plant like Japanese knotweed.
Managing Director of PBA Solutions Jon Barton, in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has been instrumental in helping to develop an effective and relevant policy for the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Mr Barton says, “it is imperative that there is a standardised methodology for assessing incidents on a case-by-case basis. This ensures that measured, robust control programs are relative to the magnitude of each individual case and can be appropriately implemented for a successful conclusion”.
Section 57 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 comes into play if it can be proven that an invasive weed is having a detrimental, persistent or continued effect on the quality of life for a community through the actions of a person. Under Section 57 the authorities will be able to impose a restriction on the behaviour of the offending party or if necessary force them to take steps to rectify their behaviour.
The first step would be to issue a mandatory warning. This notice could include a requirement to stop a certain action or behaviour. In this instance there would be a need to recommend remedial actions, which would include reasonable steps to prevent any future occurrence of the problem. By using an accredited invasive weed control company, all work would be documented to prove that any remedial work has been professionally completed. If an offender (individual or organisation) ignores any warnings set under Section 57, fines up to the value of £20,000 can be imposed upon them.
If your community is blighted by Japanese knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam or any other invasive weed species and you think that their presence is negatively affecting the quality of life within your community then you may benefit from this legislation. It should also be noted that Japanese knotweed case law is continually evolving the law around nuisance and loss of amenity.
At PBA Solutions, our qualified staff are able to survey and substantiate your case on your behalf and make recommendations on how to best implement remedial work to an acceptable standard.
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is just one of many changes that are currently developing in regards to the legal status of invasive non-native species in the UK. It is expected that there will be increasing pressure on landowners from large public organisations to individual homeowners to take responsibility and act on the presence of invasive weeds on their property in light of this new legislation.
Contact PBA Solutions
For more information on how PBA Solutions can help you or your community remove invasive weeds such as Japanese knotweed, email info@pba-solutions.com or call us on 0203 174 2187.