The link to the consultation is here,
The areas covered are green on the map
and includes large open spaces like Shotover Country Park, Port Meadow, and South Park.
The council say they wish to update and rationalise existing byelaws and that they ‘have created a set of draft updated byelaws, based on the Home Office model of current best practice, and informed by experience of the current challenges, and on-going park user feedback.’
In the preamble to the proposed byelaws it mentions that a purpose is ‘for the prevention and suppression of nuisances’.
Byelaw 23 on drones and model aircraft is drafted (my emphasis added),
(1) No person shall cause any power-driven model aircraft or drone to:
(a) take off or otherwise be released for flight or control the flight of such an aircraft in the ground; or
(b) land in the ground without reasonable excuse.
Byelaw [23] shall not apply to use of model aircrafts or drones at authorised events or where a specified area is designated for this activity.
It is interesting to note for comparison that cycling and skateboarding are not prohibited, provided that they are not done ‘in such a manner as to cause danger or give reasonable grounds for annoyance to other persons’.
Given that CAA regulation covers so much about flying different categories of drones and the proximity of buildings and people, what does this proposed byelaw achieve? Is it even enforceable?
I’d welcome useful comments, but you don’t need to sound off pet peeves about local councils, etc. I’d like to construct a useful response to the consultation, which closes on 8 April.
Thanks!
