Grey Arrows Drone Club is pleased to announce the integration of over 370 Local Authority Byelaws and Policies governing the recreational use of drones into our Drone Scene platform.
This comprehensive data mapping comes as a result of more than 370 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted to Local Authorities throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in March 2024.
The FOI request sought detailed information regarding the authorities regulations on the recreational use of drones from land under their jurisdiction.
Grey Arrows Drone Club asked each authority:
Furthermore, over four million data points defining the exact boundaries of each Local Authority have been incorporated into the Drone Scene platform.
Some FOI results indicate the authority, “did not have the information requested”, meaning no specific byelaw or policy could be identified relating to the recreational use of drones from their land.
I was pleasantly surprised to see FOIA requests to 2 of my local councils (Calderdale and Kirklees) in my inbox this morning (via https://www.whatdotheyknow.com).
I’ve searched high and low on Calderdale’s web site and can’t see any mention of drones nor UAVs. It’ll be interesting to see if anything is revealed as a result of the request.
I think some councils just make the rules up willynilly. Here in Derby, they say that the flying of drones in parks is banned. But searching the council website ( using their (waste of £7million ) AI assistant ( Darcie) gets me nowhere fast. Ask about drones and flying, it picks up on the word “fly” then offers flytipping, reporting flytipping, how to deal with flytipping, etc, etc. Ask about a Drone Policy, and you’ve guessed it, it picks upon the word , policy, but omits the keyword drone.
Bloody useless. DCC by using AI reckon they’ll save something like £100,000 per year ( for a £7 million investment) Maths just isn’t their strongpoint.
I have used the words “drone policy” and their AI system picks the word “policy” returning enough links to countless policies the council have. It can’t differentiate between policies, so simply lists all policies. Even their phone systems have switched over to an AI menu system which is supposed to direct you to the department you want, but like Siri or Alexa, usually directs you to the council website ( fine if you have website access, but many elderly/ homeless people don’t have such access)
@JockyB They do have bylaws in Debyshire for certain Parks but it depends on who is responsible for them John. I filmed Elveston Castle but was told by a local (wasn’t u was it?) that the Park came under a different authority than that displayed in DS (that didn’t have a bylaw). No one batted an eyelid and I was sitting on one of the pinic benches right in front of the castle!
Yes Colin. Elvaston Castle and estate are under the control of Derbyshire County Council ( not to be confused with Derby City Council)
I did a search and on the What do they know website, came across this one containing the bylaws relating to Derby Parks. I’ve read through the document and can find no bylaw relating to flying machines of any type.
There is one saying No person shall bring into or cause a barrow, machine or vehicle, other than bicycles tricycles , perambulators or wheelchairs pushed by hand.
I can’t see one single reference to drones / model aircraft etc ( unless DCC think this is covered by the preceding paragraph) Bylaws
Searching for Derby Parks Drone Policy, throws up this site, clearly stating that drones are not allowed. Derby Parks Drones
Interestingly I fly regularly at one of the parks listed and honestly, no one has ever bothered me. Even workmen and councillors have said nothing.
@JockyB TBH, I chance my arm anyway John. Level 2 fines aren’t that much of a life changer and doubt any council would be bothered to pursue the issue through the courts; unless of course it involved some sort of aggravated trespass. That would never happen in my case!
Yes Col, I’ve never had any trouble flying at many locations. When I first got my M3P, I went up to Matlock and flew around the park there. No signs up, nothing on the usual drone assist/ dronescene. Flew for almost an hour ( two batteries) No complaints from anyone. Months later I checked the Whatdotheyknow website and yep, there’s a bylaw banning model aircraft ( remote controlled ) and even radio controlled model motorboats ( which is very strange as they don’t have a pond in the park )
Sadly this bylaw has been in place for many years. Just wondering how long we’ve had radio controlled aircraft, cars and boats now ? Jeez I can see a time when we’re limited to 5ft flight height and have to have a man with a red flag running in front of the drone.
