GroundSure launches search report for knotweed aimed at commercial owners

This highly invasive species, introduced by the Victorians as an ornamental plant, is now rampant across the UK. It is causing widespread damage to natural ecosystems and property, impacting asset values and affecting lending decisions and is costing £1.6 billion a year to eradicate.

The report identifies potential locations of knotweed clumps in excess of 5 square metres through an innovative remote sensing technique within a 50 metre radius around the boundary of a commercial property or site. An estimate of root systems is also provided, which can identify possible nuisance risks, either to or from neighbouring properties.

Dan Montagnani, Managing Director, GroundSure, said:

"Japanese Knotweed is bad news for commercial property owners. Lenders are becoming ever more vigilant about its impact on asset values and lending security. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors  has issued clear guidance on how valuations should account for this. Commercial property lawyers must also alert clients to the financial risks and potential ongoing disruption from treatment works, which is usually a key requirement from the lender."

The report also comes with additional support from knotweed specialist partners, Phlorum, who can offer a range of site treatment and eradication programmes, as well as a free identification service if there is uncertainty on how to spot the weed from other species.

Knotweed treatment specialists can also access GroundSure’s unique Projects Leads Service, which for the very first time will marry up knotweed location and construction project datasets.

Montagnani continued:

"This offers knotweed management professionals a real opportunity to power their business development with high quality project leads. We can create unique analysis of high risk sites matched with existing and planned development contracts, tailored to their location or market focus."