Oxford News
UK warning as Japanese knotweed can knock £13.5k off house value
Amid a surge in Japanese knotweed spreading rapidly across the UK, a property expert has warned that tackling the plant yourself could land you a £5k fine or imprisonment.
Jack Malnick, Managing Director of Sell House Fast, said: “Japanese knotweed is one of the UK’s most problematic weeds that can spread up to seven meters long, take up to three years to treat and can drastically reduce a property’s market value.
“Even if treated, this highly invasive plant can still deter potential buyers. It may be tempting to cut costs and remove knotweed yourself, but this could have disastrous consequences for your property value as well as impact your finances and your legal situation.”
READ MORE: Flying taxis could be built in UK as part of £48m government deal
Mr Malnick added that homeowners should avoid DIY removal and prepare to pay up to £5k.
“It is advised not to attempt a DIY removal, due to the environmental restrictions for disposal,” he said.
“Removal costs depend on the size of the infestation, treatment method, and site access.
“The average cost of knotweed removal is between £1.5k and £2k, but a full evacuation can cost up to £20k.
“The UK average house price is currently around £270,080.
READ MORE: Renovated Cotswolds pub in 17th century bakery is a hidden gem
“Estimates from Environet suggest Japanese knotweed can reduce property values by at least 5 per cent, meaning that homeowners could, at best, lose around £13,504 in value alone.
“However, with potential treatment costs of up to £10k or more for severe cases, early treatment is usually far cheaper than leaving the infestation unmanaged.
Wrong disposal could land you a £5K fine or imprisonment, as Mr Malnick added: “Improper disposal of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is not merely reckless; it is a criminal offence.
“The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to plant or cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild.
READ MORE: Speed cameras to be installed at Oxford ring road junction with drivers warned
“Offenders may face fines of up to £5k and/or six months’ imprisonment, or on indictment, up to two years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
“Government guidance says that the plant must be transported only to specially licensed landfill or incineration facilities authorised to handle hazardous invasive waste.
“Failure to do so risks not only environmental pollution but prosecution under UK law.
“If Japanese knotweed from a neighbouring property spreads onto your land, you are not liable. In fact, you may be entitled to claim damages.”
READ MORE: Award-winning UK private school appoints new headteacher in Cotswolds
According to a key Court of Appeal ruling, it was confirmed that landowners can be held responsible for allowing Japanese knotweed to spread.
You can also pursue compensation for loss of value and the cost of removal, and claims may still succeed even where knotweed has been present for many years.
“Start by raising the issue with your neighbour, explaining their liability and ensuring they carry out professional removal,” added Mr Malnick.
“If your neighbour is uncooperative, you can contact the council’s Japanese knotweed team or environmental services to escalate the issue.”
Walter Klen, of Farmoor, Oxford, was sentenced to 19 years in jail at a sentencing at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, July 13.
The 60-year-old was found unanimously guilty of 13 counts, by a jury which police said had to listen to ‘the most vile and harrowing descriptions’ of the child sexual offences.
READ MORE: Thames Water announces hosepipe ban starting this week
These were four counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, one count of attempted rape and four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.
The court heard that between 2003 and 2010, Klen sexually abused three children over a seven-year period at addresses in Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire and Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.
All three victims were girls who were under the age of 13 at the time of the offences.
Klen was arrested on July 11, 2023, and charged on May 9, 2025.
He was subsequently convicted following a nine-day trial at Oxford Crown Court, which began on June 11.
READ MORE: Major delays on Oxford ring road due to traffic incident
Thames Valley Police’s Investigating officer Detective Constable Bryn Smith, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “Klen’s offending was sickening, devious and manipulative and he will rightfully spend many years in prison.
“I commend the bravery of the three victims and their families and friends who had to endure hours of giving evidence in court over these nine days.
“The fact that Klen was found unanimously guilty of all 13 charges is testament to the resolve of those involved and the support they gave each other.
“I would also like to thank the jury. Twelve people from all walks of society who had to listen to the most vile and harrowing descriptions of child sexual abuse over many days.
“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual abuse to come forward and report it to police.
READ MORE: Thames Valley: 12 arrests and 73 incidents reported in World Cup 2026
“You will be listened to and supported by experienced officers and staff.”
Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can report offences to Thames Valley Police by calling 101 or making a report online. In an emergency, always call 999.
The force said: “We understand that coming forward can feel difficult, and support is available whether or not you choose to make a report to the police. Please see our website for more information.”
Daniel Walsh was found guilty of a public order offence at a hearing at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on July 10.
The 35-year-old used threatening, abusive or insulting words with intent to harass, alarm or distress a man at the centre, court documents say.
READ MORE: Oxford teenager caught with knife at popular UK theme park
Walsh denied the offence, which happened on July 1 last year when entering a not guilty plea on August 12, but the conviction was proved in his absence.
Magistrates issued a community order ending October 9, 2026, with specific supervision requirements.
Walsh, if Dunchurch, Rugby in Warwickshire, is also excluded from entering the Westgate shopping centre for three months, also ending October 9, 2026.
The exclusion was ordered as part of the sentence to protect others from further distress.
Walsh’s conviction was recorded under the Public Order Act 1986.
Game, the once‑dominant high street video‑games chain which had over 300 UK stores, continues to disappear from city and town centres across the UK.
An administration report shows the business owed roughly £3.5m to its secured creditor and about £12m to unsecured creditors, many of whom are not expected to recover what they are owed.
READ MORE: Postcodes affected by Thames Water’s hosepipe ban this week
The retailer, now owned by Frasers Group, has been through insolvency once before in 2012 but had rebuilt around a mix of smaller shop units and in‑store concessions inside Sports Direct and House of Fraser.
Those concessions now represent Game’s main physical footprint in Oxfordshire with a branch housed in Cowley’s Sports Direct at Oxford Retail Park on Ambassador Avenue.
That means customers in and around Oxford can still buy products over the counter in Cowley, even as the chain’s standalone stores close elsewhere.
READ MORE: Ann Widdecombe murder suspect in court today as cause of death unknown
Witney, however, has already lost its dedicated Game branch after the store held a closing‑down sale in December 2023, before shutting in January 2024.
National coverage has since confirmed that Game’s remaining high street outlets in other parts of the country will shut during 2026.
This ends more than three decades as a standalone presence and leaves the brand trading online and through concessions only.
This pattern is already evident in Oxfordshire, where the Witney shop has gone, and the Cowley counter inside Sports Direct survives.
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoJune heatwave would be ‘virtually impossible’ in 1976
-
Oxford Events4 weeks agoStage Watch: ‘I think we need much more laughter in the world’ says John Cleese
-
Business & Technology5 days agoHSBC UK & Visa test AI shopping with live payments
-
Business & Technology6 days agoValarian lands USD $50 million backing for sovereign AI
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoWhat’s on in Oxford & Oxfordshire this July
-
Oxford Events4 weeks agoStage Watch: Lord of the Dance celebrating 30 years with spectacular return to Oxford
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoOxford’s traffic filters questions answered
-
Oxford News2 weeks agoNew romantasy bookshop attracts queues of customers