Japanese Knotweed delays Guernsey social housing build

The discovery of an invasive weed on a site in St Martin, Guernsey, earmarked for social housing has delayed building work for at least a year.

Jeremy Rihoy, head of building firm JW Rihoy and Son, said it was only in the last four or five months that Japanese knotweed had been found in the area.

He said a UK contractor had been found who was dealing with the plant weed through a powerful weed killer.

Mr Rihoy said he was confident work would start by the end of 2013.

The £2.5m project on the site of the former Royal British Legion Hall, in La route des Couture, involves the building of 14 flats to house up to 20 older people.

Once work is completed, the development is due to be managed by the Guernsey Housing Association.

A spokesman for the association said they were disappointed by the delay and the aim was now to get residents into the flats before the end of 2014.