Community protection What can the council do?

If we decide that formal action cannot be taken and have not been able to negotiate a solution, we will inform you that we cannot take any further action and advise of any alternative steps you can take if you wish to do so.

Anonymous complaints will not generally be investigated due to the fact that, for a statutory nuisance to exist, the council has to be able to show that the problem is crossing a boundary to the detriment of someone else and that there is interference with a person's use or enjoyment of their land.

Japanese knotweed is the responsibility of the owner/occupier of a site. Neither the local authority nor the Environment Agency is responsible for controlling Japanese knotweed, other than that growing on their own land. 

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica or Polygonum cuspidatum) is a non-native, invasive species of plant, introduced into the UK as an ornamental garden plant in the mid-19th Century. It has since spread across the UK, particularly along watercourses, transport routes and derelict land areas.

Further information on identifying, handling and managing it, and other invasive plants, can be found on the UK government website.