Borough is a haven for invasive plants, says new study
INVASIVE plants seem to find the climate to their liking in Rotherham, according to a new survey.
The borough has the third highest density of invasive plants right across Yorkshire and the Humber, only lagging behind Sheffield and Kirklees.
Rotherham has 18 occurrences per km², led by Japanese knotweed (1,776 occurrences).
The borough ranks 27th nationally in the study by property specialists SAM Conveyancing.
Japanese knotweed is the most commonly recorded invasive plant across the region, with almost 23,000 sightings.
As well as having an impact on our natural flora and fauna, the presence of an invasive plant can devalue properties and even make them difficult to mortgage.
Andrew Boast, founder of SAM Conveyancing, said: “While an invasive plant isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, it is a game-changer.
“Whether you are worried about your mortgage being declined or the sheer cost of digging it out, the first step is knowing exactly what you’re up against.”