New service extends environmental remediation offering

[LEADING KNOTWEED CONTROL COMPANY Japanese Knotweed Ltd (JKL) has expanded its services and launched a new sister brand – Environment Controls (EC) – to help commercial businesses and developers take control of environmental nuisances.

Environment Controls, a trading name of JKL, provides specialist control services for invasive native and non-native species (INNS), aquatic and amenity weed management and the removal of asbestos contaminated soils: doing more to tackle the growing problem of invasive species in the UK and effectively eradicate contaminated ground.

Utilising existing in-house skills, equipment and specialist knowledge, the launch of EC is a natural evolution for JKL, whose core business of Japanese knotweed treatment and removal continues to grow and will remain its focus into the future. It is very much an expansion of the business based on natural synergies that will allow EC to target other invasives more effectively.

Ground contamination puts projects on hold

Contaminated ground causes issues for construction, putting projects on immediate hold while the problem is being resolved and causing delays to project completion. EC can remove soil contaminated with asbestos, petroleum hydrocarbons or heavy metals. Chemical soil analysis tests will be required to establish the levels of contaminants present before they can remove the waste to a landfill site.

Hazardous levels of contaminates will require a further waste acceptance criteria (WAC) test before agreement to dispose at landfill, to establish the leachate properties of the contamination. All waste is carefully excavated and handled on site before being taken via registered waste carriers to an appropriately licensed landfill facility.

Contaminated ground is found especially on brownfield sites. Disturbing the ground causes contaminants that may have been lying dormant deep within to be released either by air, water or particles in the soil. When that happens it is important that all works stop immediately and the ground is not disturbed, as it could enable further spread, and warning signs must be erected to prevent entry onto the ground. EC can eradicate the problem via excavation to get the project back on track.

Financial incentive for landowners and investors

Land Remediation Relief (LRR) helps offset some of the cost of remediation services – which can include many man-hours on the project – through capital gains tax relief.

Originally, LRR was designed to encourage investment in land that was previously derelict or contaminated, so it can be made purposeful again. It can be claimed by property owners, investors and developers dealing with Japanese knotweed or contaminated ground. The claimant must be the owner (adopter) at the time of the works and pay capital gains tax. Successful claims can result in capital gains tax refunds on qualifying work values of up to 150% for the landowners and 50% for developers.

Many property owners are either not aware of the scheme, or not clear of the qualifying criteria for making a claim and could be missing out on this valuable cash-back incentive. Claims can be made that continue year-on-year for on-going treatments and can be claimed up to three years retrospectively.

EC has partnered with a leading firm of accountants and business advisors with a specialist Land Remediation Relief team consisting of qualified tax experts and RICS chartered surveyors, to provide the best advice and assistance with making an LRR claim. Their team will work in partnership with EC’s to help unlock the significant tax benefits a business may be entitled to. To find out more, email contact@knotweed.co.uk.

Taking environmental control

While Japanese knotweed is the most well-known non-native species to create havoc for businesses across the UK, there are many other invasives that can affect land planned for development. Some terrestrial species such as giant hogweed, common ragwort and horsetail are commonly found on open land or brownfield sites. If a site has a natural waterway running through it or nearby, aquatic species such as floating pennywort and azolla can cause issues that need to be resolved by experts in the field of aquatic weed management. Specialist advisory manager Darren Greatbatch spoke about the launch of the new service, saying: “We have the tools, the expertise and the knowledge to tackle the growing problem of contaminated ground and invasive species. “At Environment Controls we can utilise our existing and new learned knowledge to institute invasive weed works that will control unwanted species, excavate and remove contaminated ground and continue to help the construction industry, housebuilders and land investors keep their projects moving.” q • Visit environmentcontrols.co.uk or call 0330 056 8880 for more information. www.constructionnational.co.uk 35