Specialist treatment required by Newark and Sherwood District Council after large patch of Japanese Knotweed discovered along River Trent, behind M&S Simply Food on Maltings Retail Park, Northgate, Newark

A large patch of the intrusive Japanese Knotweed plant has been discovered along a riverside path close to buildings.

The plant was first noticed by a resident on land which had been cleared by Newark and Sherwood District Council along the River Trent, behind the M&S Simply Food at the Maltings Retail Park on Northgate.

The intrusive species, which was originally brought to Britain from Japan by the Victorians, grows at an alarming rate, is difficult to contain and complex to remove .

It can strangle the growth of native plant species in the immediate area and can be particularly harmful to buildings by undermining foundations and growing into walls.

The plant is characterised by its knotted, hollow stems which resemble bamboo, have large triangular leaves and can grow very tall.

Now the council are taking steps to deal with the issue and have warned residents who discover Japanese Knotweed growing on their property about trying to tackle the plant themselves.

Emma Oldham, portfolio holder for environmental services and biodiversity, said: “We are aware of Japanese Knotweed growing along the bank of the River Trent on land that we manage for Newark Town Council, the landowners, and we are working to tackle the issue.

“Due to the speed of its growth and how dense it can be, Japanese Knotweed can be damaging to surrounding areas and requires specialist treatment, as removal can cause further spread which is an offence and once removed it must be disposed of as controlled waste.

“To ensure we are taking a proactive, long-term approach to safely manage and mitigate the weeds’ effects and spread we have implemented a comprehensive five-year treatment plan and our Street Scene team will continue to monitor the areas we have identified throughout this time.

“If residents are concerned about Japanese Knotweed, in the first instance you should speak to the landowner as it is their responsibility to control the plants but please do not remove them without specialist help.”