In November 2015, a Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) programme entitled 'Building Tomorrow', produced in partnership with ITN Productions, was launched. This featured key industry interviews and news-style reports, with Environet sponsoring a 5 minute segment on Japanese knotweed. Nic Seal, Managing Director, discusses the benefits of the patented Xtract™ machine, specifically on commercial sites. 

John Maguire of BBC Breakfast discusses fines for failure to control Japanese knotweed when he visits the Environet team on a residential site in South London in November 2014. He interviews Nic Seal, Environet MD, who explains the problems associated with Japanese knotweed and the methods available to remove this highly invasive plant. John is able to see the Environet Xtract™ process in action plus he interviews Lawrence Lacey, Solicitor from Clarke Willmott, who discusses the issues surrounding Japanese knotweed when trying to buy and sell a residential property and the importance of purchasing an insurance guarantee.

Environet's Nic Seal appears on the BBC 'The One Show' in May 2010 featuring Japanese knotweed removal at a community garden in Surrey.

The Times, Bricks and Mortar section - July 21 2017.

Here, Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet, is a main contributor to the article “Coping with knotweed”. In the piece journalist David Byers looks at the introduction and history of Japanese knotweed. He then moves on to discuss the problems and issues associated with having knotweed present on your property, along with the treatment and removal options available.

The article also includes a case study of one of our clients, Brenda Dunn.

To read the article in full please click here. Please note that registration is required to access the article, which takes no longer than 30 seconds.

An extensive feature on Japanese knotweed is included in the latest Telegraph Saturday magazine, 17th September 2016. Starting at the beginning when knotweed was first imported as an exotic species in the mid 1800’s, to where we are now:  Japanese knotweed costs around £166 million a year to clear and is classed as Britain’s most destructive invasive plant. ‘Knotweed: The unstoppable scourge of British gardens’ focuses on the history of the plant, why it has become a problem, and ways to tackle it.

A case we dealt with last year in South Wales is mentioned. Liz Wakeman, who was trying to sell an elderly relative's house was told the value was halved due to the presence of knotweed. After treatment by Environet, the house sold for just under the asking price. 

Journalist Matt Rudd publishes his article 'The Plant that Ate Britain' as the cover story in the Sunday Times Magazine in July 2014. The article gives a historical background to Japanese knotweed, how to identify it and the problems it causes in terms of property damage, disputes between neighbours and effect on mortgage lending. The article describes some possible ways of removing Japanese knotweed including the risks involved of DIY/amateur attempts that induce dormancy. As Matt quotes 'It's eating our gardens, destroying our houses and ruining our lives. Can anything free us from the insidious grip of Japanese knotweed?'

Sally Chatterton thought her new garden was a blank state, just waiting for her grand design. Little did she know about the malevolent intruder lurking just beneath the surface as she explains in her article I've gone to war with Japanese knotweed published in the Daily Telegraph in July 2013. My mother-in-law, a crack gardener, spied it in the half-light from the kitchen window when we were barely two weeks into our new flat. It seemed we had a sitting tenant in the garden: Japanese knotweed. 

Japanese knotweed indemnity insurance is discussed in the October issue of Homebuilding and Renovating. The article 'Plant Peril' explains why this policy was launched last year by CLI, to protect homeowners against Japanese knotweed. Premiums start from £65, speak to your conveyancing solicitors for advice.

 ‘Japanese knotweed will plague the capital after record warm winter’, Journalist Lizzie Edmonds writes in the London Evening Standard. After the warmest winter on record, Londoners are warned to watch out for accelerated Japanese knotweed growth.  The article describes a case where knotweed was discovered in the garden which delayed renovation plans. After hiring Environet, the plant was eradicated and supported by a guarantee underwritten by an A rated insurer. 

'Eco-Innovation Winner' Miles Bloomfield tells us about his experience in the latest edition of First News, the only weekly newspaper for young people. It has a readership of over 2 million 7 to 14 year olds. The Eco-Innovation Awards was launched last year at The Moat School. 

Although a bright and attractive plant, Japanese knotweed is well known for wreaking havoc on building sites, often causing structural damage and costly removal fees, as well as jeopardising mortgage eligibility. Environet's article Untangling the problem of Japanese knotweed in i-build, March 2015 recommends those embarking on self-build to familiarise themselves on this invasive and pernicious plant.

In the 'Ask the Expert' section of Homebuilding and Renovating February 2015, Environet MD, Nic Seal, explains the damage Japanese knotweed can do and how to get rid of it. Nic advises that any treatment or removal work is covered by an insurance-backed guarantee which is required by most lending institutions when deciding to sell a property.

In the April 2017 edition of the Gillingham News, ‘Don’t get knotted over Japanese knotweed’, Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet explains all you need to know about Japanese knotweed. This Q&A covers the key characteristics of knotweed, and discusses what the law says about the pesky plant. Always check the TA6 form when buying a property, as there is a specific question relating to Japanese knotweed. A ‘Yes’ or ‘Not known’ may require further investigation. 

Environet speak to The Business Magazine in 'South: Environet warns about Japanese knotweed'. A landlord wanted to build an extension on his property, but discovered he had a knotweed infestation. Environet proposed a Resi-Dig-Out™ with a root barrier, to remove the knotweed, allowing for the extension to continue

Nic Seal speaks to South East Business about Japanese knotweed and how to spot it in 'A Knotty Problem'. Environet is celebrating two decades helping property owners and developers to remove knotweed, a plant which threatens to take a stranglehold on the countryside

Environet features in the latest edition of Surrey Director, launched in 1996 for key decision makers across Surrey. This year Environet celebrated their 20th birthday, as Japanese knotweed removal experts. In 'Knotweed Specialists Celebrates', Founder and Managing Director Nic Seal comments “I have enjoyed the challenges and opportunities involved in building the company and inventing Xtract™, now patented in various countries across the world. It is one of the most eco-innovative and cost-effective methods of eradicating this highly invasive weed. We are one of the leading Japanese knotweed removal companies, with our head office in Send, near Woking.”

In the London Weekly News, Journalist Jack Dixon announces the launch of a new campaign 'Bags of Help' in 'Join in our Great Green Giveaway'. The London Weekly News in partnership with Tesco, discuss a new initiative to help communities lead the way in cleaning up the capital. The Bags of Help campaign is aimed across three boroughs: Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and the City of Westminster. Environet’s Eco Innovation Awards scheme features as a case study. Launched in September 2015, the scheme has already produced several clever ideas. 

In the Guildford Edition of the Surrey Advertiser, Environet warn residents to look out for Japanese knotweed. In the article 'Knotty Problem', knotweed specialists Environet state that while knotweed is 'out of sight and out of mind' over the winter, it is about to start growing again at a spectacular rate. 

Coventry City residents warned about Japanese knotweed. In this article, the 'Invader knotweed may return', residents are warned about knotweed growth due to the mild and wet winter. ASBOs have been issued to landowners who are not controlling Japanese knotweed. It is important for those who have knotweed, understand the law and know what needs to be done to control Japanese knotweed. 

In this article, 'Knotweed warning as plant reappears', Journalist Nino Williams writes about how Japanese knotweed has emerged early this year, due to a wet and mild winter. Tackling knotweed in Wales is estimated to cost around £9 million a year. ASBOs can be issued if a landowner does not make an attempt to control their knotweed, which if left unchecked can encroach on other properties, lowering the resale value. Japanese knotweed Indemnity Insurance is now available for those worried about Japanese knotweed. 

In this article The house price is right as rampant weed is eradicated, there is a happy ending for this Welsh knotweed saga. Originally told her house value would half due to the presence of knotweed, Environet came to the rescue with a treatment plan. Now the house has sold just shy of the asking price. The Government may had admitted defeat in removing this invader, however this Swansea woman has shown that the plant can be defeated. 

Recently our South West Regional Manager Emily Grant was interviewed by Devon life. Entitled 'Destroying Japanese Knotweed', Emily states how she would like to remove knotweed from the UK. The best piece of advice she offers would be to seek professional help, but undertake research to ensure the professional is exactly that. A lot of what can be found on the internet needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Environet removal methods are all backed by a guarantee so rest assured we know what we're doing. 

Liz Wakeman was told that her property was worth half due to the presence of Japanese knotweed on neighbouring land. In this article, House sold as expert answers plea in Post, it was shown that due to the work completed by Environet, the house was sold close to the asking price. Nic Seal, Environet MD states that a lot of work is completed on knotwed to a low standard, with no guarantee. In these circumstances the value of the property is lowered. 

Nic Seal, Environet MD discusses the issues when buying, selling or re-mortgaging a property and the guarantees that are available when Japanese knotweed is present in his article Japanese Knotweed - what's all the fuss about? published in Chelsea Life in June 2015. All Environet removal methods are fully guaranteed for up to 10 years, insurance backed at Lloyd's.

Lloyd Fyfield, Environet Regional Manager for Wales, discusses the origins of Japanese knotweed and the best way to tackle it in his article The Garden Invader that could Sink your Mortgage published in Around Town Magazine in Summer 2015. "Loved by the celebrity gardeners of the day, it was planted in the grand gardens in South Wales. They admired its fast growth, its attractive bamboo-like stems with purple freckles, its large spade-shaped leaves and its mass of pretty, creamy white flowers in the summer. Unfortunately, they were not to know the havoc it would wreak in years to come, growing out of control and pushing out our native species. Not to mention the damage to property and distress to home sellers, house buyers and property developers."

In January 2015 the South Wales Evening Post pubished an article - Knotweed 'Asbo' Warning - talking about the new powers given to local authorities under ASBO legislation to force homeowners to clear up Japanese knotweed on their land. Environet confirms there are already legislative instruments in place that are now widely used in cases of Japanese knotweed encroaching from one piece of land to adjoining land. It's called civil nuisance and has been around a long time.

In the October 2014 edition of the Woking Advertiser an article entitled Environet discovers a solution to eradicating Japanese knotweed in winter highlights Environet's development of their Xtract™ process for the residential market to allow knotweed to be removed at all times of the year. Herbicide treatment has traditionally been used for removing knotweed in residential gardens which can only be carried out during the summer growing season. Knowing Environet has the most environmentally-friendly solution available, that can be dealt with all year round, is proving to be very popular with clients - particularly where they are keen to sell their homes. 

Olivia Parish writes an article entitled 'Invasive Japanese knotweed has Sevenoaks district in its grip' for the Sevenoaks Chronicle in September 2014. The article covers Japanese knotweed encroachment and advice by Warner's Solicitors on what guarantee you should look for if buying a property that is or has been affected by Japanese knotweed. 

Surrey Advertiser in August 2014 promotes Environet's 18th Birthday and new office move to Send in article 'Knotweed specialists get to root of problem'. Environet is celebrating 18 years since it launched at its original headquarters in Weston Super Mare, during which time it has become a leading expert in the fight against the plant taking over gardens across the country. Environet is now the longest-running organisation specialising solely in the removal of knotweed. Nic Seal advocates that "Environet is able to work with the parties involved to resolve the situation and remove the Japanese knotweed, but on occasions where legal intervention is necessary, Environet has also helped to develop a legal service with a specialist lawyer to assist with knotweed encroachment issues."

Cobham Life in May 2010 reports on Rampant weed blocks mortgage lending. Japanese knotweed is a major problem due to its voracious capacity to spread and its ability to cause damage to property. However, to refuse a mortgage simply because some knotweed is present on the land seems to be a complete over-reaction. Despite reports to the contrary, it is possible to completely remove the plant - we wouldn't offer 20 year guarantees it we had any doubts. You need to act fast to prevent its spread, to protect the value of your property and to avoid potential disputes and litigation with your neighbours.

Our recent YouGov research that was undertaken to explore the general public’s attitude towards Japanese knotweed has been very well received in the media.

Several national industry websites have run main articles all leading with our research; a selection of those can be found below.

• propertyreporter.co.uk ran a feature article “8 in 10 put off from buying a property over Japanese Knotweed fears” leading with our research headline.
• insideconveyancing.co.uk also ran an article on our research read more.
• LandlordNews.co.uk went with the article “Awareness and concern over Japanese Knotweed growing”
• The National Association for Estate Agents (naea) uses our research to explain how the presence of Japanese knotweed on a property should be handled during the selling process “Know your knotweed from your regular weeds”
• Property Industry Eye published the article “Three-quarters of home buyers scared off by Japanese knotweed”
• Finally, Aol ran an article under the money section of their website entitled “Seven things that can make a house unmortgageable”

A selection of our featured articles from the regional press can be found here:

• The Cardiff Times “Japanese knotweed deters nearly 8 in 10 from buying a property”
• The Plymouth Herald “Plymouth is a hotspot for aggressive plant which devalues your home”
• Somerset Live “UK's most destructive plant Japanese knotweed spotted in Wells - is it a danger to historic buildings and gardens?” 

Nic Seal speaks to eMoov about dealing with Japanese knotweed, the UK's most destructive plant. Nic explains the importance of understanding the plant, to be able to remove it effectively. There are a variety of methods than can be used, but the site specific conditions will determine what is appropriate. Speak to a professional if you find Japanese knotweed on your property or site. 

The following article 'Environet UK – a Leading Japanese Knotweed Removal Specialist', published on Silversurfers, aims to answer questions about Japanese knotweed and what you should do if you find it. Up to 5% of properties nationwide could be affected by knotweed, so it is important homeowners know the best way to deal with it. 

In the blog ‘Buying or selling a property affected by Japanese knotweed?’, Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet UK Ltd speaks to Onthemarket.com about what to do when properties are affected by Japanese knotweed. Advice is given to both buyers and sellers, on how to identify knotweed, as well as the best course of action to remove it. 

Environet Managing Director Nic Seal was interviewed for Eagle Radio on Sunday 2 October 2016. In the article 'Japanese knotweed could cost you thousands', Nic discusses how Japanese knotweed grows very quickly, overshadowing other native plants and needs to dealt with as soon as possible, to prevent any damage to property. If you find a plant that you think may be knotweed, Environet offer a free identification service from a photo.

Environet Director Mark Thompson was interviewed on the Mark Forrest show on Wednesday 19 November 2014. The interview revolved around a property in Swansea where the value of the property was halved due to knotweed, until Environet came to the rescue. A treatment programme is now underway that is insurance backed at Lloyd's, giving any propsective purchaser the peace of mind that the knotweed problem is now under control.

Professional Builder featured Environet in their June 2017 edition in the article "Knot for the faint hearted". In it Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet UK, provides an update on Japanese knotweed and outlines how to ensure its removal.

 

 

Building Engineer features Environet in their April 2017 Edition. Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet UK, offers advice when developing a site with Japanese knotweed. In 'Beware of Japanese knotweed on Construction sites', Nic explains how Environet were commissioned to assess a site which had been receiving herbicide treatments for over 7 years. Upon inspection it was found that the knotweed was still very much alive, making the site uneconomic to develop. It is always important to ensure you understand the knotweed liabilities before taking on any such development. 

Builder As pressure mounts to achieve the Government’s housebuilding objectives, brownfield developments are site to rise.  In ‘It’s Knot a problem’,  the April 2017 edition of Building and Engineer, Nic Seal comments on how Japanese knotweed can be identified and controlled prior to developing brownfield sites. . 

Nic Seal, Environmental Scientist and founding Director at Environet UK Ltd, provides an update in the April 2017 edition of Professional Housebuilder and Property Developer. The best ways of dealing with Japanese knotweed on a development site are outlined in ‘Knotweed removal’. 

The December 2016 issue of Building Engineer features Environet. In 'Japanese knotweed - winter treatment', Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet UK Ltd and environmental scientist explains how best to tackle Japanese knotweed on construction sites, irrespective of the time of year. 

Your Build asked Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet to comment on Japanese knotweed, and the impact it can have on property. In 'Japanese knotweed - a guide for the self-builder', Nic covers frequently asked questions such as how common knotweed is, how it can affect the funding of a project, and if knotweed is covered under general insurance policies. 

'Tangled up in Knotweed' features an interview with Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet. Published in the November 2016 edition of Brownfield Briefing, Nic explains all about Japanese knotweed, and the problems it presents to homeowners and developers. Its ability to lie dormant means it's a difficult plant to remove, and as it's classed as controlled waste, it can't just be placed in with the garden rubbish. Physical removal is often the best solution, through either Xtract™ or Resi-Dig-Out™. Environet are trialling methods to help cut the costs of Japanese knotweed removal even further, in an eco-innovative way.

Environet is featued in the October/November edition of Eco Building News. In 'Xtract™ - the eco-friendly way to remove Japanese knotweed', Environet's patented techonlogy demonstrates how Japanese knotweed can be removed from commercial development sites, in a matter of days, at half the cost of 'Dig & Dump'. This method deals with the knotweed problem, in an environmentally-friendly way. Since its launch in 2008, Xtract™ has been used on sites across the UK. 

Nic Seal speaks to Building Construction Design on 'What Architects ought to know about Japanese knotweed'. Environet are happy to provide free advice to professional advisors on the most appropriate method, and provide quotations for the work. Japanese knotweed is something that needs to be dealt with, before any development work can start.

The best way to deal with Japanese knotweed removal on construction sites is discussed in the latest edition of Builder and Engineer. This article, 'Return of the Dreaded Japanese knotweed' discusses the eco-innovative Xtract™ method, and the time and cost savings this can provide to development sites. This method was featured in a programme entitled 'Building Tomorrow', which was produced in partnership with ITN Productions and the Chartered Institute of Building. 

The following article ‘To be, or knot to be’, Nic Seal, Managing Director of Environet and one of the UK’s leading experts on Japanese knotweed explains what you need to know should you discover this invasive plant on a construction site.  There are various Japanese knotweed removal techniques that can be used when knotweed is identified on site. The benefits of Xtract™ are discussed, highlighting the cost savings on haulage, disposal, landfill tax and buying in clean fill, over other methods such as Dig & Dump.

Nic Seal tells the Solicitors Journal what all solicitors should know about Japanese knotweed during the conveyancing process in his article of October 2014 - Disclosing knowledge of knotweed needs to be more transparent. With pre-contract enquiries, vendors would be unwise to attempt to conceal knotweed as it needs to be disclosed on the TA6 form. Vendors that do not disclose run the risk of a misrepresentation claim. Many misrepresentation claims are now being settled out of court in favour of the buyer.

In the April 2013 edition of Building Engineer, The Legal, Financial and Technical Implications of Discovering Japanese Knotweed on a Development Site are explained. The impact of Japanese knotweed on building and development can be considerable. It is virtually impossible to secure finance on land with the invasive plant on or near it and its discovery can cause unwelcome delays in building plans. Once appropriate guarantees are provided, finance is forthcoming and work can commence on site.

Professional Builder article In a Knot highlights the problems with Japanese knotweed that are particularly pertinent at the moment because April marks the start of the growing season. Not only that, but flooding has been proven to significantly increase the risk of it spreading. So what do you need to know and what questions should you be asking before you make a decision on how best to deal with it? Nic Seal of Environet UK offers some advice...

Nicolas Seal of Environet examines the legal, financial and technical implications of discovering Japanese knotweed on a development site in his article entitled Hidden Threat in the RICS Building Control Journal in January 2014. Under the 2010 updates to the Building Regulations, site investigation is now recommended in order to determine how much unsuitable material should be removed before building begins. Where Japanese knotweed is concerned, determining the extent of the problem is a job for a specialist.

The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) discusses - Knot in my Back Yard! For managing agents, the discovery of Japanese knotweed can be a real headache. Onward sales will be hampered; disagreements between residents may make resolution tricky; then there's the issue of cost and where the financial and legal liabilities lie.

Environment Industry Magazine discusses Xtract, the eco alternative for the immediate eradication of Japanese knotweed, Environet's ground breaking eco method for the rapid and complete removal of knotweed. The advantages that this method provides are numerous. For the developer, immediate removal can be achieved at a highly competitive price, without delays to the construction programme and with peace of mind backed by a market leading 20 year guarantee on this method as standard. For the eco-minded, knotweed is cleared with negligible environmental impact, no harmful herbicides are required and no infested soils are consigned as waste to landfill.

Sustain Magazine article Untangling the Knot. Japanese knotweed now plagues the environment and its removal can be costly and time consuming. However, recent research into biocontrols by scientists at CABI have suggested a sap-suckling psyllid insect could successfully bring Japanese knotweed under control. The news has received a very mixed response from those involved in the eradication and control of this most pernicious weed.