Advises on the planning, management and conservation of land used for agriculture, botanical, leisure or conservation activities, including the control of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and ragwort.

Whether intended for agricultural, botanical, recreational or conservational use, all land and habitats need effective management. JP Associates has a strong track record of helping clients to achieve their goals safely and effectively, through informed and objective advice, practical services and a committed partnership approach.

Our consultants have a comprehensive knowledge of trees, hedgerows and habitats. We can advise you on the planning, design, management and conservation of public and private green space and open land. This takes into account your obligations towards any animals dependent on a particular habitat.

We also understand the potential threats from invasive species, pests, diseases and human activity. We are qualified to advise you on the development impact, disposal options, legal obligations and management of such issues.

Ashley Down Jap knotweed 4

In particularly high demand is our Japanese knotweed service, helping you minimise, treat and dispatch this and other invasive species, such as ragwort and hogweed.

Keep reading to find out how we might be able to help you, or call us on 01884 258430 for an informal chat.

Japanese Knotweed

Knotweed is an invasive species that should be regarded as a form of contamination with implications for both the natural and built environments. It can penetrate weaknesses in concrete and tarmac and damage the integrity of even large structures.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is illegal to spread Japanese knotweed, and the Environment Agency (EA) guidelines put the onus on developers to treat knotweed responsibly. Unfortunately, knotweed is extremely resilient and has the ability to lie dormant for a decade or more - even when just a tiny part of its rhizome is left in the soil - which means it is almost impossible to eradicate completely. Therefore, effective treatment and disposal of the plant, and the soil in which it is found, demand the skills of someone who fully understands knotweed and its behaviour.

JP Associates has devised an effective four-stage strategy that incorporates initial investigation and identification, site management and disposal, development design and ongoing monitoring. This management plan is in line with RICS guidance and accepted best practice and should satisfy mortgage lenders.

NEW! Read or download our definitive technical paper on managing knotweed on development sites.

ID sheet - what does knotweed look like?

For developers - quick guide to dealing with knotweed

For homeowners - quick guide to dealing with knotweed

 

Land Management

JP Associates has the knowledge to help you balance your trees, hedges, land, water, biodiversity and other environmental resources to meet your needs legally, safely and profitably.

Landscape Design & Management

Local Planning Authorities often require a landscape scheme as part of an application or as a planning condition. With its expertise in arboriculture, as well as a comprehensive understanding of planning requirements, JP Associates can help you devise planting schemes that support both your site’s setting and any objectives such as screening, enhancement, habitat provision or timber production.

We can also draw up detailed schedules, develop contracts and supervise any work.

POS Adoption, Management & Negotiation

In every development of any size there are usually areas of Public Open Space (POS) – the extent and location of POS within a development is usually in accordance with planning policy and is agreed with the Local Planning Authority (LPA) as part of the planning negotiations or S.106 agreement. The design and layout of the POS areas is agreed as part of the general planning discussions: they are included on the planning layout and will become part of the approved development.

The POS areas usually remain under the control of the developer during construction and will then be adopted by either the LPA or a management company (depending on the agreements and circumstances of each project). JP Associates can assist the developer in delivering the POS to the agreed design/specification and to the agreed timescale. This will often involve inspecting the POS areas, agreeing a schedule of works needed with either the LPA or the management company and then project managing its delivery.

Over the years JP Associates has built up a network of arboricultural, landscape and groundworks contractors as well as relationships with LPA officers and management companies, helping us to deliver POS areas efficiently. 

Landscape Visual Impact Assessments

When considering a large, technically complex or contentious development, a Local Planning Authority will consider the long-term visual impact it will have on the landscape. It will often request a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) as part of the application to help it assess the overall significance of a major development to its environment.

An LVIA is a recognised evaluation process that takes into account both the magnitude of change proposed and the sensitivity of the landscape. With its landscape experience, JP Associates can help you understand and therefore work sensitively with the character and value of your site and its surrounds so that you can put forward a justifiable case for approval.

Ecological Surveys

The majority of development proposals have the potential to impact on local biodiversity in some way - either through direct loss of habitat or by compromising the habitat’s ability to support its dependent species. Several pieces of legislation, including The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, provide legal protection for a variety of creatures, particularly nesting birds. This has significant legal ramifications for all landowners, whether primarily a developer, farmer or conservationist.

We can arrange an ecological survey to help you establish the flora and fauna populations on your land. This will provide valuable guidance – and defence – for any work you wish to undertake and will ensure that:

  • you are aware of the ecological constraints of your site before committing too much time and effort to an unviable development project
  • your design can be modified to minimise adverse impact on the biodiversity of the site - even to enhance it or to support locally desirable biodiversity targets which could increase your likelihood of achieving any desired permissions
  • your schedule of works can be planned around the natural cycles of the wildlife species on the site to minimise distress or disruption
  • the Local Planning Authority is fully informed when determining an application, and you can demonstrate that any permission issued is defensible against judicial review.