Knotweed ties up building of 56 council houses on Clonakilty

An invasive plant species found on a site in Clonakilty earmarked for 56 council houses is being treated, but it has been claimed that construction on the badly-needed homes is unlikely to start until at least the end of 2017.

Concern was raised two months ago by Senator Tim Lombard that the presence of Japanese knotweed would hold up the development at Beechmount indefinitely.

He said he was so shocked by its proliferation around the country that he was calling for a national taskforce to deal with its eradication.