The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gatcombe Park) (Restricted Area EGR1U083) Regulations 2026
These Regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace zone, designated EGR1U083, around Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, prohibiting unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,700 feet above mean sea level within specified geographic coordinates due to security considerations related to the presence of Royal Family members; these rules came into force on May 14, 2026, and revoke a previous restriction order, while allowing exemptions for specific emergency services and authorized security personnel.
Arguments For
The primary justification rests on necessary security considerations related to the residence of members of the Royal Family, ensuring their safety and privacy at Gatcombe Park.
Restricting unmanned aircraft flying below 1,700 feet mitigates potential security risks, accidental intrusions, or surveillance activities near a sensitive location, aligning with public safety mandates.
The Regulations supersede previous, similar restrictions (revoking the 2025 zone EG RU183), suggesting an updated, necessary continuation or refinement of existing security airspace management for this specific location.
Exemptions are clearly defined for essential services (Police Air Support, Emergency Medical Service) and authorized personnel (Gloucestershire Constabulary Royalty Household Protection Group), ensuring operational continuity where required.
Arguments Against
Implementing specific, small-area flight restrictions can increase operational complexity and compliance requirements for drone operators flying anywhere near the defined geographical coordinates, potentially impacting legitimate commercial or recreational activities.
The regulations inherently limit the freedom of navigation in controlled airspace for all non-exempt unmanned aircraft operators within the specified boundary, imposing a blanket restriction based on the presence of specific individuals.
Relying solely on security considerations for broad flight restrictions near private residences may set a precedent that could be perceived as unduly broad unless the specific threat level warrants this level of airspace control.
While exemptions exist, unauthorized entry into the restricted airspace (EGR1U083) carries significant legal risk under the Air Navigation Order 2016, necessitating heightened awareness for all flight planning efforts in the region.
2026 No. 504
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gatcombe Park) (Restricted Area EGR1U083) Regulations 2026
| Made - - - | 12th May 2026 | |---|---| | Coming into force - | 14th May 2026 |
This document identifies itself as Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 2026 No. 504 concerning Civil Aviation matters.
The title specifies that these are regulations restricting the flying of aircraft over Gatcombe Park, creating a restricted area identified by the code EGR1U083.
The instrument was officially made on May 12, 2026, and became legally effective on May 14, 2026.
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 2(1) having regard to the security considerations associated with this location by reason of it being the residence of members of the Royal Family.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).
The Secretary of State justifies these restrictions by stating they are necessary for the public interest, specifically due to security concerns surrounding the location because members of the Royal Family reside there.
Legal authority for making these rules comes from powers granted under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gatcombe Park) (Restricted Area EGR1U083) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 14th May 2026.
This section provides the official short title for these legal rules, confirming the name used throughout the document.
It reiterates that the Regulations officially began to operate on May 14, 2026.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,700 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following points-
- (a) 514214N 0021055W,
- (b) 514236N 0020937W,
- (c) 514143N 0020821W,
- (d) 514104N 0020905W,
- (e) 514040N 0021035W,
- (f) 514131N 0021151W, and
- (g) 514214N 0021055W.
This dictates the core restriction: unmanned aircraft (drones) cannot fly below an altitude of 1,700 feet above average sea level within a defined geographical boundary.
The boundary is precisely mapped out using a series of seven specific latitude (N) and longitude (W) coordinates, forming a polygon around Gatcombe Park.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft-
(a) operated by or on behalf of-
(i) a Police Air Support Unit,
(ii) an Emergency Medical Service, or
(iii) a member of the Royal Family, or
(b) flying in accordance with the permission of the Gloucestershire Constabulary Royalty Household Protection Group.
This subsection outlines specific exceptions to the flight restriction detailed in paragraph (1).
Unmanned aircraft operated by Police Air Support Units or Emergency Medical Services are exempt from the altitude restriction.
Additionally, aircraft operated by or on behalf of a member of the Royal Family are exempt, as are any flights authorized directly by the Gloucestershire Constabulary Royalty Household Protection Group.
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
This footnote provides the legal citation for the primary legislation under which the Secretary of State is exercising powers (the Air Navigation Order 2016), noting that it has been amended previously.
Revocation of Regulations
- The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gatcombe Park) (Restricted Zone EG RU183) Regulations 2025( a ) are revoked.
This section terminates a previous set of regulations regarding flight restrictions at Gatcombe Park.
Specifically, the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gatcombe Park) (Restricted Zone EG RU183) Regulations from 2025 are officially cancelled by the introduction of these new 2026 rules.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
12th May 2026
The document confirms it was signed on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport on May 12, 2026, giving it formal executive approval.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire. In view of the need for security for members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries staying at or visiting Gatcombe Park and at the request of the security services, it has been agreed by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport that flying should be restricted in the vicinity of that location for reasons of public safety and security.
The Explanatory Note clarifies that the purpose of the instrument is to restrict unmanned aircraft operations near Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire.
This restriction results from security needs for the Royal Family and dignitaries visiting or staying there, following agreement between the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Department for Transport (DfT) based on public safety grounds.
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 2(2)(b), the Gloucestershire Constabulary Royalty Household Protection Group may be contacted as notified.
This provides guidance regarding the exemption mentioned in Regulation 2(2)(b).
It confirms that the Gloucestershire Constabulary Royalty Household Protection Group is the contact point for granting necessary permissions for flights within the restricted area.
Full details of this statutory instrument will be included in the United Kingdom Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). The restricted area has been designated as EGR1U083 for the purpose of inclusion in the AIP and in related charts and documents.
Official documentation of this restriction, including the boundaries, will be published in the UK's Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).
The specific identifier EGR1U083 is assigned so that the restricted zone can be properly charted and referenced in official aviation documents.
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr David Ridley, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382471.
This provides a specific contact within the Civil Aviation Authority for inquiries regarding the regulations.
Mr. David Ridley, an Airspace Regulator, is listed with DfT phone number for the Safety and Airspace Regulation Group.
( a ) S.I. 2025/907.
Karen L Michaels Grade 7 Department for Transport
This footnote references the specific previous S.I. (2025/907) that is being revoked by these new Regulations.
The document concludes by identifying the civil servant responsible for its issuance at the Department for Transport.
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