Commercial Invasive Plant Surveys — UK WideUK Wide
Before groundworks begin, before contracts exchange, before a planning application is submitted, you need to know what’s on your site. TP Knotweed Solutions and Zirkon carry out comprehensive invasive plant surveys for all commercial sectors including developers, construction companies, local authorities, rail, water providers and land managers across the UK. Our highly experienced CSJK qualified surveyors identify all Schedule 9 invasive plant species present, assess the extent and scale of any infestation, GIS map the plants for accurate creation of site plans and development overlay and also produce a full written report with a recommended remediation strategy. In most cases, clients receive a detailed written quotation and remediation site plans, delivered within 24-48 hours of the site visit.
CIEEM-Compliant
Licensed Ecologists
Covering the Whole of the UK Since 2011
Get Ahead of the Risk
Invasive plants discovered after groundworks have started, or after contracts have exchanged, can halt a development programme, trigger unbudgeted remediation costs, create planning complications and lead to significant additional spread on site. Commissioning a survey at the earliest stage of a scheme gives you an accurate picture of what’s on site, what it will cost to address, and how it should be programmed. That information protects your budget, your programme, and your planning position.
What Our Surveys Cover
Our surveys identify and accurately GIS map all invasive plant species present across the site. The main species covered are Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam, and Horsetail, however all Schedule 9 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are within scope. Where multiple species are present, each is assessed and reported on individually. Our CSJK surveyors use the latest GIS surveying equipment to ensure accuracy.
Japanese Knotweed
Full RICS management category assessment (Residential property). Survey report satisfies mortgage lender and planning authority requirements. TP Knotweed Solutions and Zirkon have remediated some of the most complex Japanese Knotweed cases over the past 15 years. From waterways to airports, we will provide a suitable solution. Treatment and removal with 10 year insurance backed guarantee carried out in-house.
Giant Hogweed
Hazardous plant species causing blisters and burns to humans and animals. Site presence mapped and risk assessed. Specialist treatment, removal and licensed disposal required.
Himalayan Balsam
Distribution mapped across site. Commonly found along watercourses and disturbed ground on development sites.Treatment and removal carried out in-house.
Horsetail (Equisetum)
Horsetail is becoming a major problem for development sites. Typically spread by farmers and ground workers. It is crucial this plant is identified and remediated early on within a development. Extent of Horsetail spread assessed and mapped. Treatment options and timescales confirmed in the report.
What Your Survey Report Includes
Following the site visit, your surveyor will produce a comprehensive written report. The report is structured to satisfy the requirements of mortgage lenders, planning authorities, and development teams, and includes everything needed to progress to a remediation decision.
Strategic Advice
Early-stage ecological advice to identify constraints, assess viability, and shape the design of a development scheme before surveys are commissioned.
Faunal Surveys
Surveys for protected and notable species including bats, great crested newts, badgers, nesting birds, water voles, otters, and reptiles.
Ecology Mitigation Schemes
Design and implementation of mitigation and compensation measures to satisfy planning conditions and minimise adverse impact on habitats and species.
Habitat & Botanical Surveys
Phase 1 habitat surveys, extended Phase 1 surveys, and National Vegetation Classification (NVC) surveys to characterise habitats across the site.
Environmental Impact Assessments
Ecological chapters and input to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for major development schemes requiring an Environmental Statement.
Practical Mitigation Works
On-site implementation including great crested newt fencing, badger sett closures and artificial sett creation, and habitat creation and translocation.
From Survey to Remediation
Once your survey report and quotation have been reviewed, our team can proceed directly to remediation. Depending on the species, the site conditions, and your programme requirements, we will recommend either a herbicide management programme or a physical remediation method. This may involve full excavation and licensed off-site disposal, relocation, on-site burial or screening. All options are delivered by our in-house qualified and highly experienced team, and all Japanese Knotweed excavation work is covered by a 10-Year Insurance Backed Guarantee on completion.
Remediation Options
- Herbicide management: cost-effective, multi-season treatment where development is not planned in the affected area
- Excavation & licensed disposal: fast-track removal where groundworks are programmed. Development can proceed on completion.
- Root barrier installation, relocation, cell burial, and on-site soil screening also available depending on site requirements
Who We Work With
Our survey teams work across all sectors including construction, housing development, utilities, water, rail, local authorities and land management sectors throughout the UK.
Construction companies
Pre-groundworks surveys to clear the programme
Property developers
pre-acquisition due diligence and pre-planning surveys
Local authorities & councils
Surveys across public land, highways, and housing estates
Property managers
ongoing monitoring and survey programmes for portfolio sites
Industrial & retail estates
site surveys ahead of redevelopment or sale
Infrastructure & utilities
corridor and boundary surveys for linear schemes
Accreditations & Experience
PCA Approved
Members of the Property Care Association, listed as experts in the control and removal of invasive species
10-Year Insurance Backed Guarantee
Available on all remediation work following a survey (Japanese Knotweed Only)
CSJK Qualified surveyors
All site surveys carried out by trained, certified specialists
Established since 2011
Over a decade of commercial invasive plant survey experience across the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no universal statutory requirement to submit an invasive plant survey with a planning application, however local planning authorities increasingly include invasive species management as a planning condition — particularly on sites known to have knotweed or other Schedule 9 species present. Commissioning a survey before application avoids conditions being imposed after consent is granted and allows remediation to be properly programmed.
Survey duration depends on site size and complexity. Smaller sites can typically be surveyed in a single day. For larger or more complex sites, we will confirm programme requirements as part of the initial enquiry. A detailed written quotation is delivered within 24-48 hours of the site visit in all cases.
A survey is a full site inspection carried out to identify and map all invasive plant species present, producing a comprehensive written report. A monitoring visit is a follow-up inspection carried out during an active treatment programme to confirm progress and check for regrowth.
Where Japanese Knotweed is identified on site, the survey report includes a RICS risk management category assessment, which is the format required by mortgage lenders. The report, combined with a treatment plan and Insurance Backed Guarantee, is typically sufficient to satisfy lender requirements.
Yes. Our surveys cover all Schedule 9 invasive plant species. Where multiple species are present, each is identified, mapped, and assessed individually within the report, with species-specific treatment recommendations provided.
Yes. We carry out commercial invasive plant surveys on development and commercial sites across the whole of the UK.
Need a Survey Before Your Next Project Moves Forward?
Get in touch to arrange a site survey and receive a detailed written quotation within 24-48 hours. We work with developers, construction companies, local authorities, and land managers across the UK.
