Business couple sue OAP, 74, who sold them a seaside home ‘then let Japanese knotweed invade their garden’
Rosemary Line, 74, has been taken to the court today by Adam and Eleanor Smith over the destructive plant in Maenporth near Falmouth, Cornwall
A WEALTHY couple are suing a pensioner who sold them a luxury seaside house in a row over Japanese knotweed.
Rosemary Line, 74, has been taken to the court today by Adam and Eleanor Smith who claim she let the destructive plant invade their garden from her land next door.
The Smiths, both 43, bought their three-bed detached home in Maenporth near Falmouth, Cornwall, from Mrs Line for £200,000 in 2002.
At the time, Mrs Line retained some land alongside the house which was not part of the sale.
Now the destructive weed appears to be growing on both pieces of land, including the driveway of Mr and Mrs Smith's house.
The couple launched legal action after claiming the knotweed had reduced the value of their home, now estimated at £500,000, by up to 10 per cent.
Speaking before the case, Mrs Line, who is representing herself, insisted she had done everything possible to stop the spread.
She said: "Over the past 15 years, I have sprayed the Japanese knotweed with herbicide, utilised the services of the council, cut and burned the weed and now entered into a contract with (Cornwall Council contractor) Cormac Ltd to complete an annual knotweed maintenance programme.
"Mr and Mrs Smith claim the Japanese knotweed growing on my land is invading them and causing them a nuisance.
"The Japanese Knotweed was first recorded on my land in 2001, 26 years after it had been present on Mr and Mrs Smith's property.
"Foot Anstey are saying that the Japanese knotweed presence on the adjoining land reduces the value of the property, even though Mr and Mrs Smith have shown no intention of selling their home."
Mrs Line claimed the case could have worrying consequences for anyone with a knotweed problem.
Mr and Mrs Smith, who run an electrical business, are being represented by solicitors Foot Anstey who declined to comment ahead of the case.
Japanese knotweed, or Fallopia Japonica, was brought to Europe from Japan in the mid-19th century and was initially lauded for its beauty.
The dispute is the subject of a two-day hearing at Truro County Court that began today.
The World Conservation Union lists it as one of the world's worst invasive species and it can grow up to 20cm a day.
The invasive root system and strong growth can damage concrete foundations, buildings, flood defences, roads, paving and retaining walls.
It currently costs the UK economy an estimated £166 million each year for treatment and in home devaluations.
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