The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Husbands Bosworth) (Restricted Area EGR2U063) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State on May 12th, 2026, implement restrictions on the flight of unmanned aircraft (drones) below 1,550 feet above mean sea level within a specifically defined geographical area surrounding the National Police Air Service base at Husbands Bosworth due to security and public safety concerns, while explicitly excluding aircraft operated by or on behalf of the National Police Air Service; simultaneously, these Regulations revoke the previous 2025 restrictions concerning the same location.
Arguments For
Maintaining operational security and public safety for the sensitive National Police Air Service facility located at Husbands Bosworth.
Providing clear regulatory authority, exercised by the Secretary of State, to establish temporary or permanent restricted airspace zones necessary for national security and law enforcement support.
Ensuring clarity regarding exclusions, specifically allowing operations by or on behalf of the National Police Air Service or those authorised by them to continue necessary work.
Arguments Against
Potential limitation on routine drone use or commercial operations in the immediate vicinity of Husbands Bosworth, impacting local operators who are not affiliated with law enforcement.
Imposition of a specific altitude restriction (below 1,550 feet) which might overlap with necessary low-altitude operations for non-restricted aircraft or infrastructure surveys if not carefully managed.
Requirement for operators to consult the UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and contact specific Civil Aviation Authority personnel for detailed compliance information, adding an administrative burden.
2026 No. 505
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Husbands Bosworth) (Restricted Area EGR2U063) Regulations 2026
Made
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12th May 2026
Coming into force
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14th May 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) by reason of the security and public safety considerations associated with the location there of the National Police Air Service.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).
This introduces the statutory instrument, specifically the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Husbands Bosworth) (Restricted Area EGR2U063) Regulations 2026, establishing restrictions on civil aviation.
The instrument was made on May 12th, 2026, and legally took effect on May 14th, 2026.
The Secretary of State determined this action was necessary for public interest reasons, specifically relating to the security and public safety surrounding the National Police Air Service facility situated at Husbands Bosworth.
Authority for these rules derives from Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Husbands Bosworth) (Restricted Area EGR2U063) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 14th May 2026.
This section provides the official title for the rules, confirming they are known as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Husbands Bosworth) (Restricted Area EGR2U063) Regulations 2026.
It also legally confirms that the specified restrictions became active on May 14th, 2026.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,550 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following points-
- (a) 522616N 0010220W,
- (b) 522619N 0010135W,
- (c) 522559N 0010133W,
- (d) 522556N 0010200W,
- (e) 522537N 0010221W,
- (f) 522550N 0010250W, and
- (g) 522616N 0010220W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft-
- (a) operated by or on behalf of the National Police Air Service, or
- (b) flying in accordance with a permission issued by the National Police Air Service.
This establishes the core operational restriction, stating that unmanned aircraft (drones) cannot fly beneath a ceiling of 1,550 feet above mean sea level within the precise geographical boundaries defined by the listed latitude and longitude coordinates, which form a specific area around Husbands Bosworth.
However, this prohibition contains two main exceptions in paragraph (2): the restriction does not apply to any unmanned aircraft under the control of the National Police Air Service or any aircraft operating with specific authorization granted by that Service.
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
This is a legal footnote referencing the primary legislation governing these rules, citing the Air Navigation Order 2016 (Statutory Instrument 2016/765) and noting that it has been amended by a 2024 instrument, though other amending documents are irrelevant to the present context.
Revocation of Regulations
- The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Husbands Bosworth) (Restricted Zone EG R263) Regulations 2025( a ) are revoked.
This rule officially cancels the previous legal restrictions concerning flying near Husbands Bosworth, identified as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Husbands Bosworth) (Restricted Zone E G R263) Regulations 2025.
This action ensures that only the current 2026 regulations apply to the area going forward.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
12th May 2026
This confirms the date of official signing (May 12th, 2026) and indicates that the authority for the instrument comes directly from the Secretary of State responsible for Transport matters.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of the National Police Air Service base at Husbands Bosworth.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that the flying of unmanned aircraft should be restricted in the vicinity of that location for reasons of security and public safety.
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 2(2)(b), the National Police Air Service may be contacted as notified.
Full details of this statutory instrument will be included in the United Kingdom Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). The restricted area has been designated as EGR2U063 for the purpose of inclusion in the AIP and in related charts and 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.
( a ) S.I. 2025/166.
Karen L Micheals Grade 7 Department for Transport
This non-statutory note summarises the purpose: restricting unmanned aircraft near the National Police Air Service base at Husbands Bosworth based on mutual agreement between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport concerning security and safety.
It advises that specific contact details for granting permissions are available through the National Police Air Service. Furthermore, it specifies that the restricted zone, designated EGR2U063, will be published in the UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) for reference.
A specific Civil Aviation Authority contact, David Ridley, is provided for airspace regulation inquiries.
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