Japanese knotweed specialists in Birmingham

Guidance from Birmingham City Council

• The council notes that knotweed grows in Birmingham and that allowing it to spread is against the law.
• Council tenants with knotweed in their garden should contact their local housing team for advice.
• Knotweed or other invasive weeds in a city park or open space can be reported online. The council's guidance does not offer treatment on private land.

Further information is available on the council's website: Japanese knotweed and other invasive weeds.

Local background

• In 2022 the city council sought planning approval to clear about 9,160 square metres of knotweed, spread across 26 patches, from the former Birmingham Wheels site at Bordesley Park using Levelling Up Fund money; the plans drew 594 objections over fears for the site's sports facilities. (source)

The law in England

It isn't an offence to have Japanese knotweed on your land, but under section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is an offence to plant it or otherwise cause it to grow in the wild. Government guidance says you must stop it spreading off your property. Soil or plant material containing it is likely to be controlled waste, which must only go to an authorised site, and councils can use community protection notices where someone's failure to deal with it unreasonably affects people nearby.

See our guidance on Japanese knotweed and the law.