Firm Fined £18,000 In Knotweed Case

Landmark ruling means other householders must ensure they don’t let rampant weed spread.

Homeowners who allow the spread of Japanese knotweed are now much more likely to face prosecution, following a successful case against a Bristol property company, the first of its kind in the UK.

Bristol City Council used ‘ASBO’ legislation to prosecute MB Estates Ltd, who were fined £18,000 and ordered to pay costs, after neighbours complained about the spread of the pernicious weed. It has also been ordered to enlist a specialist company to form a plan on eradicating the problem.