I have recently acquired a C0 drone, and I am keen to practice and fly it. I have been using Drone Assist so far, but I heard they’re going into administration so the data is likely out of date. I am a GADC Gold member, so I can also use Drone Scene. I have however found that it’s also not complete. For instance, I know from the Sheffield Council website that all the parks managed by the council are off-limits for drones of any size, however according to Drone Scene, they’re often marked as safe to fly. I am losing hope, as I don’t want to get in trouble. Is there any other complete resource on this?
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I can’t see any airspace restrictions in Sheffield.
Sheffield City Council does not have any byelaws or policies relating to the recreational use of drones from their land.
Are you misunderstanding the map perhaps? 
Any screen shots or specific locations that we can help clarify so you can fly there? 
Hi. The map seems to imply it’s OK to fly, for instance, in Carterknowle Park, however according to the Sheffield Council website …
Drones
Drones may not be flown from Council land without our permission.
Permission will only be granted where:
- use of a drone device helps reduce risk in the workplace, such as working at height
- land and building survey work
- to undertake professional services such as festivals and events media
Parks byelaws already restrict the use of powered model aircraft.
Here’s a Freedom of Information response from Sheffield City Council which states:
The Council does not have any Byelaws or Policies specifically about drones.
Naturally you’ll need to use your discretion 
Source: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/freedom_of_information_request_b_665#incoming-2591519
It’s perhaps also worth considering the odds of a council employee standing on the same piece of land you’re flying from at the same time as you, said employee even hearing a Mini drone, and the same said employee giving a hoot either way.
If you somehow happen to land on all those odds I suspect the worst they could do is ask you to leave. I’d also buy a lottery ticket on the way home too
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That’s interesting, the byelaws focus particularly on power driven model aircraft specifically mentioning combustion fuels. However the phrasing *Parks byelaws already restrict the use of powered model aircraft" in the Drones section of the Council’s page on parks and green spaces seem to imply that this policy about drones applies on top of the byelaws. Are you suggesting that there isn’t a legal ground for enforcing it if it’s not part of the byelaws?
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Also, I checked what the website was saying on March 4, 2024 before the response was issued for the Freedom of Information request, and it already stated that drone cannot be flown from Council owned land.
A policy is simply a statement of how an organisation wants things to be done.
It’s only an internal position or guideline, not an enforceable law
If it helps, you can’t be prosecuted for breaching a policy, because a policy has no legal standing.
Yes, that’s exactly their downfall - and our advantage.
That byelaw document very clearly explains their definition on page 3:
“power driven model aircraft” means any model aircraft driven by the combustion of petrol vapour or other combustible substances.
Enjoy your drone flights
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Oh, cool, thanks for the explanation. 
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The thing is FROM council land is very obscure, does that mean all land controlled by the council? So public footpaths bridleways etc, that would them mean you cannot fly anywhere in the city limits. However that fly’s against the caa regulations (sorry for the pun). One alternative ask for permission and if refused they have to give a reason. Question it always question it.
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Or beg forgiveness afterwards
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The land ownership isn’t an issue in Sheffield because the City Council has no byelaws relating to the recreational use of drones from their land, and the “policy” isn’t worth the paper it’s written on 
Enjoy your flights if you’re in the area
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Here endeth the lesson….
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Hi There
Lots of organisations and Authorities, national trust for example have a blanket ban on drones taking off from within their boundaries; but you use a bit of common sense and take off from a “safe” spot nearby and you can overfly pretty much anything that is not rammed with people illegal, airports prisons, military, Notam restricted, etc and the air is yours to explore. Just take off and fly with care understand your rights, and be nice if challenged. In the city your potential for trespass is greater so a little research is something I would always encourage!….. Other than that get into the country and explore its a big world out there!
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I totally agree with that… I rarely touch inner city flying. 
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