RICS has this week published a new Guidance Note, Japanese Knotweed: Guidance for Professional Valuers and Surveyors, replacing the previous Information Paper. This was reviewed following a Parliamentary Inquiry in 2019 which concluded that the approach to Japanese knotweed in the UK was ‘overly cautious’.

Environet founder and MD Nic Seal responds:

The idea that the invasive plant ‘problem’ can be reimagined is nothing new. We were contacted some time ago by Royal College of Art MA Textiles student Marina Belintani, who was focusing on bio-design and had chosen Japanese knotweed as the subject material for her final year project.

The UK housing market could be in for a busier start to the year than ever before, with Rightmove reporting record home mover activity over the festive period. Buyer demand was up 23% year on year while the volume of new sellers coming to market on Boxing Day was up 21%.