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Beacon
Insight, opinion and guidance
There’s a lot of misleading information about Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants, so we thought we’d share our knowledge and expertise. Our articles are designed to provide impartial honest information, written by experts, to make you better informed. Sign-up for free email alerts and benefit from the insight, opinion and guidance that Beacon provides
Buyers are bearing a greater burden when it comes to knotweed checks.
The increasing use of “Not known” responses following the changes to the TA6, has made it harder for buyers to assess the true level of risk. Mat Day explores the challenges and offers practical guidance for conveyancers.
By Mat Day. Published July 2025
Early intervention is crucial when dealing with invasive plants on site.
With Landfill Tax increasing this April, Environet Director Luke Walton explains how early intervention can allow for low-cost removal and on-site, zero-waste solutions, often eliminating landfill use altogether.
By Luke Walton. Published March 2025
How can homebuyers be protected from the risks posed by bamboo?
Given there are no current obligations for a seller to declare problematic bamboo, this article explores how surveyors and conveyancers can best serve the interests of their clients with practical guidance.
By Emily Grant. Published December 2024
A decade of change. Why homeowners are opting for excavation of knotweed over herbicide.
Over the last 10 years, trends for consumers opting for excavation over herbicide treatment have completely reversed. In this edition of Beacon, we look at the reasons why and the knock on impacts.
By Emily Grant. Published September 2024
Mitigating the risks arising from Japanese knotweed misrepresentation
In this edition, we discuss our brand-new customer research carried out with YouGov, look at the safest way to fill in the TA6 form and talk about the risks of misrepresentation.
By Mathew Day. Published May 2024
Herbicide treatment of knotweed can store up problems on site
In this edition, we focus on the use of herbicide as a control for Japanese knotweed on development sites. Our feature explores the potential pitfalls of opting for herbicide treatment as a low-cost control method.
By Luke Walton. Published February 2024
Is bamboo the next Japanese knotweed?
We discuss the increasing threat posed by bamboo, looking at how it impacts property, from physical damage to neighbour disputes.
By Emily Grant. Published October 2023
Understanding the risks around invasive plant encroachment
We highlight the importance of understanding the risks of invasive plant encroachment, as well as the potential legal implications that could arise as a result.
By Mathew Day. Published July 2023
The TA6 Form: understanding and mitigating knotweed risk
We explain the TA6 pitfalls for conveyancers to look out for – and how to help clients stay on the right side of the rules.
By Mathew Day. Published March 2023
The invasive plants causing the greatest threat to property
We highlight the main plants to watch out for, the risks they pose and explain how best to treat them.
By Emily Grant. Published January 2023
Land remediation tax relief can generate significant savings for developers of brownfield sites contaminated with Japanese knotweed
We explain how to correctly identify the opportunities and secure LRTR qualification.
By Nicolas Seal. Published October 2022
Legal cases against developers relating to Japanese knotweed are on the rise. We explain how best to mitigate the risks
Find out how to know for sure if a site is affected by knotweed, and if it is, follow best practice to ensure there’s no chance of litigation further down the line.
By Nicolas Seal. Published July 2022
Japanese knotweed: does the new RICS Guidance affect developers of residential property?
The new Guidance is aimed at surveyors providing advice to banks and lenders for residential lending purposes. But does it alter the way developers should tackle knotweed on development sites?
By Nicolas Seal. Published April 2022
Removing Japanese knotweed from development sites
Find out about the impact of different treatment methods on the environment, as well as your bottom line, and discover how Japanese knotweed waste is being put to good use by contributing to carbon capture.
By Nicolas Seal. Published January 2022
Japanese knotweed - changing perceptions?
In conjunction with YouGov PLC we’ve monitored consumer perceptions relating to Japanese knotweed over the last three years. Here we highlight some interesting trends. Click here
By Nicolas Seal. Published May 2019
Network Rail appeal against Japanese knotweed ruling unanimously dismissed by Court of Appeal
An article detailing the results of the recent Network Rail appeal against the Japanese Knotweed ruling and the legal implications moving forward.
By Charles Lyndon Solicitors. Published November 2018
Knotweed treatment and removal costs
An information paper on the costs of treating varying quantities of knotweed infested land – from data Environet has obtained on a large number of projects.
By Nicolas Seal. Published March 2018
Field trials - investigating the containment of Japanese knotweed
A summary paper about field trials, carried out by Environet UK Ltd and DuPont, for containing Japanese knotweed – Click here
By Nicolas Seal of Environet UK Ltd - Published January 2018
Beware the Seller that doesn't disclose Knotweed
Article about house sellers not disclosing knotweed and what to do if you are the victim of misrepresentation.
By Rodger Burnett at Charles Lyndon Solicitors. Published December 2017
Japanese knotweed Research Survey carried out by YouGov
A survey on Japanese knotweed awareness amongst adults in Britain was carried out by YouGov plc on behalf of Environet UK Ltd in May 2017.
Summary and comment are provided by Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet. Published May 2017.
Maximising the development value of land affected by Japanese knotweed
If you are looking to buy or sell development land you should be aware that Japanese knotweed can significantly reduce its value.
Here Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet, explains why.
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