Welsh developer says he has spent more than £1 million removing Japanese knotweed from sites

A Welsh property developer told the Daily Mail he has spent more than £1 million removing Japanese knotweed from properties after the invasive plant pushed through walls and engulfed land at multiple sites.

Dorian Payne, 30, said he encounters the fast‑growing species at almost every property he takes on and called it the number one issue when starting new projects. "It's everywhere we go, especially near rail lines," he said, adding that even a recent car‑park job produced infestations. Across the UK, more than 100,000 infestations are recorded each year, and reports indicate a sharp rise in cases this summer.

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is known for vigorous growth and the ability to sprout through small cracks in walls and paving. Plants can reach heights of more than 10 feet and, if left unchecked, can spread across gardens and land, causing long‑term damage to planting schemes and built surfaces. Payne said the plant has torn through brickwork and concrete at some sites, requiring substantial remediation.

Payne made his comments while working on a current removal job in Newport. He attributed frequent encounters with the species to proximity to transport corridors, which can aid the spread of fragments that subsequently root and establish. He described ongoing projects in which knotweed has required extensive treatment and removal efforts, contributing to what he characterised as significant cumulative costs.

Removal and management of Japanese knotweed can involve excavation, long‑term chemical control, or a combination of measures, and those approaches can be time‑consuming and costly for property owners and developers. The example cited by Payne, if accurate, underscores the financial burden the weed can impose on landowners and the construction sector.

Public authorities and private contractors monitor and treat infestations, and the prevalence of the plant has prompted increased attention from property professionals and homeowners alike. The reported spike in cases this summer follows several years of widespread concern about the species' impacts on gardens, infrastructure and property transactions.

Payne's account reflects one developer's experience and aligns with broader reporting of rising knotweed incidents across the country. Officials and industry groups advise landowners who discover knotweed on their property to seek professional assessment and follow recognised removal and containment protocols to reduce the risk of re‑establishment and damage.