Hi,
Does anyone in the Holmfirth area know if it is permitted to fly in the area to the north of Harden reservoir off Dunford Road? I know the area to the south and west is in the Dark Peak SSSI so probably a no fly zone but I’m struggling to define the exact boundary. I have seen someone flying there once but not sure if it’s legit.
Thanks
Alex
Checking the SSSI registration for there. It just shows that it’s mainly about vegetation and wildlife, don’t damage them. There’s nothing in there that says you can’t fly long as you don’t break the ground basically. It literally says recreational activities that damage the ground or plants are banned. That’s it.
Quote:
Recreational or other activities likely to damage features of biological or geological
interest.
Ok, thanks for that. I did have a look but I only found information for the dark peak in general. It said there were ground nesting birds that could be disturbed by arial activity but nothing for about that specific location.
It makes general mention of grouse etc, but every wild moor type site in Yorkshire says that. Just don’t fly in the nesting period. As long as your not flying really low over them they won’t care as a drone looks and sounds nothing like a bird of prey.
If it’s located inside a National Park, you will need to check if any additional restrictions are in place as many have and are subject to byelaws.
SSSIs are not ‘no fly zones’, they are merely potential hazards which you need to be aware of in order to fly safely and considerately. For example, I would not fly low over an SSSI nominated for rare birds during the nestin season, but would fell less restrained at other times. An SSSI nominated for rare plants or a geological feature is not likely to be affected by any drone activity.
The reservoir may be more of an issue; my local water authority does not allow TOAL from it’s property, but I am fine to overfly it so long as I conform to the CAA’s drone code and rules (within VLOS &c). If this is the case for this area, TOAL from outside the perimeter on public roadways, overfly the reservior at a safe height (general rule, higher = safer/less intrusive, and don’t upset the fishermen or the birds (general rule, don’t be a dick); you’ll be fine, snd in the unlikely event that Ken/Karen/some waterboard jobsworth interferes, point out that you are flying legally, show them online documentation and sllow them to copy the drone’s operator/flyer ID, refer them to the CAA, and call the police if they persist.
I’ve been flying for 20 months now, quite a lot of it in urban parks snd popular resorts. Touch wood I’ve not encountered Ken/Karen or jobsworth yet, but people do show interest. I don’t mind this, snd am happy to answer questions and let them look at the screen ‘there you are look, wave to Mr Drone). I thought a jobsworth was going to have a go at me outside City Hall, but he was just interested and we had a long and pleasant chat. When I wanted to fly inside the cathederal, the staff couldn’t have been more positively minded and helpful over the suggestion.
Not quite true, there are exceptions. Although not many but some SSSI’s are also legally protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. Ground nesting bird season being one of them.
