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Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants

If you or your neighbours have invasive non-native plants in your garden or on your land, it is not illegal for them to be there. However, you are advised to control them and you are required to take all possible steps to remove them, even if you did not plant them. It is also your responsibility to ensure that they do not spread.

For more information on how to identify and treat invasive weeds and how to remove them, visit:

The spread of non-invasive weeds is a civil issue between property and landowners. The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act (2014) may enable the Council to address problems where an individual is acting unreasonably in a way that affects the quality of life of those living nearby.

However, to apply this to individuals failing to control invasive species, there must be clear evidence of significant impact, recent correspondence between landowners, and a failure to take appropriate steps. Only then will the Council consider any further investigation.

For more information, please contact the team at [email protected].

If you see invasive weeds on land owned by the Council, please report it via Fix My Street.

Injurious weeds

Natural England will investigate complaints about the threat of injurious weeds spreading to land used for:

  • keeping or grazing horses and other livestock
  • producing hay or silage for livestock
  • other agricultural activities

The five injurious weeds are listed in the 1959 Weeds Act. For more information, visit:

Last updated 03 February 2025