PLANS to get rid of Japanese Knotweed from land being developed for homes in Carlisle could take five years, says a site survey.

The scheme to build 63 houses on land north of Caxton Road was started in November last year.

The invasive plant is known to cause structural damage to property and Carlisle City Council are currently considering plans to tackle the menace submitted by the developer - Darwen, Lancs, based firm, BAK Contracts Ltd.

According to the application form, previous permission to build the homes was granted as long as a number of conditions were fulfilled.

One stated that "no development shall take place until details of a scheme to eradicate Japanese Knotweed has been submitted".

A previous management plan was described as "defunct" because of site changes.

According to a survey, the treatment recommendation is a: "Three to five year herbicide plan which includes two monitoring growing seasons that show no evidence of Japanese Knotweed growth, excavation and burial on site."

For information go online: publicaccess.carlisle.gov.uk/online-applications/

Application no: 20/0522