NERC 0928: Follow-on development work for a Japanese Knotweed risk map for the conveyancing sector
Lead Research Organisation:
NERC CEH (Up to 30.11.2019)
Department Name: Pywell
Abstract
Home Information Surveys now include a specific question as to whether J K occurs within the boundary of the property for sale. The presence of J K can affect the price of a property and mortgage lenders refuse applications unless specialists are brought in to deal with the plant.
This proposal is for the further testing and development of a set of models that predict the occurrence of J K in the UK. Models developed under a previous Innovation A bid require further evaluation, and meetings with the conveyancing sector have also indicated that additional modelling work at finer scales than previously attempted should be investigated. This work will include further evaluation of the potential for these models to be included within conveyancing searches for domestic properties.
A successful outcome to this project would be a working prototype that can be exploited via a Follow-on application that would commercialise a web based J K model for the benefit of value-added resellers in the conveyancing sector.
This proposal is for the further testing and development of a set of models that predict the occurrence of J K in the UK. Models developed under a previous Innovation A bid require further evaluation, and meetings with the conveyancing sector have also indicated that additional modelling work at finer scales than previously attempted should be investigated. This work will include further evaluation of the potential for these models to be included within conveyancing searches for domestic properties.
A successful outcome to this project would be a working prototype that can be exploited via a Follow-on application that would commercialise a web based J K model for the benefit of value-added resellers in the conveyancing sector.
Planned Impact
A NERC/CEH Japanese Knotweed search product for the conveyancing industry underpinned by high-quality data and scientific expertise:
1. Creating work for INNSA members (who remediate J K infestations)
2. Develop confidence and in risk prediction models for the wider sector (CoPSO, CLC, CML and the Law Society) to enable strategic and tactical planning
3. Reduce the incidence of known fraudulent activity in the J K remediation sector
4. Industrial experience for the Biological Records Centre within CEH
5. Cash flow to biological recording organisations, supporting third sector biodiversity information provision into the future
1. Creating work for INNSA members (who remediate J K infestations)
2. Develop confidence and in risk prediction models for the wider sector (CoPSO, CLC, CML and the Law Society) to enable strategic and tactical planning
3. Reduce the incidence of known fraudulent activity in the J K remediation sector
4. Industrial experience for the Biological Records Centre within CEH
5. Cash flow to biological recording organisations, supporting third sector biodiversity information provision into the future
| Description | During this project we have worked closely with commercial partners in the conveyancing, insurance, and invasive plant remediation sector to produce a rigorous model of the distribution of Japanese Knotweed in the UK at a fine scale. We have also developed a new way of integrating this modelled distribution with data on actual occurrences of Japanese Knotweed into a useful predictive risk tool for the conveyancing sector. |
| Exploitation Route | The risk tool developed has been done so in collaboration with a commercial partner, therefore the aim has always been to produce a useful tool that addresses a commercial need. The predictive risk tool created is currently being brought to market by the project team. Feedback from customers will obviously be used to improve the product in the future. New developments since 2017 include the licensing of the product to two conveyancing companies under evaluation licences. We are also working to make the website more interactive, further promoting the product. |
| Sectors | Construction,Environment,Financial Services, and Management Consultancy,Transport |
| URL | https://www.ceh.ac.uk/case-studies/japanese-knotweed-and-property-market |
| Description | Our findings are being used to produce a commercial risk tool for the conveyancing market. The research done under this project has also supported ancillary objectives, such as developing appropriate insurance models that will be marketed alongside the risk tool. The risk tool will also direct customers towards regulated Japanese Knotweed remediation companies. Overall, our work is increasing the availability of robust data on Japanese Knotweed to the public and the commercial sector. The reach of the product derived from our work obviously depends on customer interest and uptake, but could reach over 40,000 people per year. Since 2017 we have licenced the dataset to two consultancies for evaluation, and work updating the product transparency on the CEH website should soon promote the product to new audiences. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Construction,Environment,Financial Services, and Management Consultancy,Transport |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Title | Japanese Knotweed risk model |
| Description | * Fine-scale species distribution model for Japanese Knotweed using fine-scale environmental variables * Novel methodology for risk classification of properties with respect to Japanese Knotweed presence * Links between biological recording (of species' occurrences) and commercial applications, supporting both the collection of further data and industry partners |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Production of commercial service for assessing potential risk to a property from Japanese Knotweed. |
| URL | http://www.stlgroup.co.uk/what-we-do/property-searches/japanese-knotweed/ |
| Description | Conveyancing sector partnerships |
| Organisation | InfoTrack |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | * Fine-scale species distribution model for Japanese Knotweed using fine-scale environmental variables * Specialist botanical and ecological knowledge * Novel methodology for risk classification of properties with respect to Japanese Knotweed presence * Links between biological recording (of species' occurrences) and commercial applications, supporting both the collection of further data and industry partners |
| Collaborator Contribution | Commercial expertise; market access; access to further partner organisations. |
| Impact | * Multi-disciplinary: Conveyancing hazard alert for Japanese knotweed * Fine-scale species distibution model for Japanese Knotweed * Multi-disciplinary: Novel methodology for risk classification of properties with respect to Japanese Knotweed presence * Multi-disciplinary: Links between biological recording (of species' occurrences) and commercial applications, supporting both the collection of further data and industry partners |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Title | Japanese Knotweed predictive model and datasets |
| Description | Predictive distribution mapping for an invasive plant species of concern to homebuyers was creating at a fine scale (1km2). This predictive surface was combined with national (UK) sub-1km2 actual distribution records for the plant, and both of these information sources were combined in a novel risk framework developed by the PI. This allows all UK homeowners to estimate the risk of Japanese Knotweed being on or near a property that they are interested in purchasing. |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Protection not required |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | Increased awareness of the impacts that Japanese Knotweed could have on house purchase transactions and related surveys. |
| Description | Meetings with industrial partners |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Meetings held with partners from STL (www.stlgroup.co.uk), RICS, independent consultants, Japanese Knotweed remediation experts and the Council for Mortgage Lenders. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |