Council prosecution sees property owner fined £18k over Japanese knotweed

A Bristol property owner has been fined £18,000 for allowing the spread of Japanese knotweed, after what is thought to be one of the first prosecutions nationally using the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to tackle the issue.

Bristol City Council served MB Estate Limited with a community protection notice in May 2017 following complaints from seven properties neighbouring the house on Ash Road in Horfield.

The company, which did not attend the hearing or sentencing, was ordered to pay costs, in their absence, at Bristol Magistrates Court.

The court also issued an order requiring MB Estates to remedy the problem. The council said this includes securing a plan from a specialist company detailing how the issue will be resolved. This must be done within 28 days.

Cllr Kye Dudd, Cabinet Member with responsibility for regulatory services at Bristol, said: “It is unfortunate that the council needed to resort to formal action, but we hope that this sends a message that appropriate action will be taken, when necessary, to protect the public.

“Knotweed has the potential to cause significant nuisance to property owners, causing structural damage as well as anxiety over the effect on property prices and the ability to secure a mortgage.”