The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Ferndale, South Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an immediate no-fly zone for drones within a specified radius of Ferndale to support emergency operations.
These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 2,900 feet within a 2.7 nautical mile radius of Ferndale, South Wales.
The Secretary of State issued these orders under the Air Navigation Order 2016 in response to an unspecified emergency in the area.
The restriction applies to all drone operators, except those flying under the specific direction of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary for reasons affecting the public interest due to an emergency having arisen in the Ferndale area.
The explanatory note states that the restrictions are intended to be temporary and will be revoked once the emergency has passed.
The document implies that centralized control of airspace is required to assist the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service in managing the emergency response.
Arguments Against
Legal observers may note that the document does not specify the nature of the emergency, making it difficult for the public to assess the proportionality of the 2.7 nautical mile restriction zone.
Pilots of unmanned aircraft may encounter difficulty in identifying the precise boundaries of the restricted area in real-time without sophisticated GPS equipment, as the coordinates (513924N 0032625W) require technical interpretation.
The immediate commencement of the regulations provides no notice period for drone operators who may already have been airborne at the time of signing.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Ferndale, South Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations.
It mandates that the rules apply immediately upon being made at 12:05 a.m. on 15th August 2026.
Restricted airspace
- No unmanned aircraft is to fly below 2,900 feet above mean sea level over the area specified in Column 1 of the Schedule, being an area bounded by a circle of the radius specified in Column 2 and centred on the position specified in Column 3.
- These Regulations do not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
This section prohibits the flight of unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, at altitudes lower than 2,900 feet within the designated emergency zone.
It creates a legal exception for aircraft operated or directed by the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. This allows emergency responders to use aerial technology while excluding private or commercial drone activity.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |-----------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Ferndale, South Wales | 2.7 nautical miles | 513924N 0032625W |
The Schedule defines the exact geographic boundaries of the restricted flight zone.
The restriction covers a circular area with a 2.7 nautical mile radius centered on the coordinates 51°39'24"N and 003°26'25"W in Ferndale, South Wales.
Related
The M5 Motorway (Junctions 1 to 3) (60 Miles Per Hour Speed Limit) Regulations 2022 (Revocation) Regulations 2026
Classified fifteen synthetic opioids and one synthetic cannabinoid as Class A controlled drugs effective 20 March 2024.
Read MoreThe Housing Benefit (Earned Income Disregards) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Removed the £250,000 cap on variable monetary penalties for environmental offenses in England.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Tenby) Regulations 2026
Restricted the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet in Tenby during a public gathering in September 2026.
Read More