The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Buckfastleigh, Devon) Regulations 2026

Published: Tue 11th Aug 26

Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft in Buckfastleigh, Devon, on 12 August 2026 for public safety purposes.

These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a specific 0.5 nautical mile radius around Buckfastleigh, Devon.

The restriction applies on 12 August 2026 between 0600 and 1600 Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).

The order applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, except those granted specific permission by the Devon and Cornwall Police Counter-UAS Team.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary in the public interest to ensure public safety and security.
The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority state that specific geographic and altitude limits are required to manage unmanned aircraft flight in the area.
The order provides a mechanism for authorized flight via the Devon and Cornwall Police Counter-UAS Team, allowing for necessary aerial activity while maintaining the general restriction.

Arguments Against

Operators of unmanned aircraft may argue that the short notice between the signing (5 August) and commencement (12 August) limits the time available to adjust flight plans.
Commercial drone operators or hobbyists may question the specific necessity of the 0.5 nautical mile radius if the nature of the security requirement is not detailed in the document.
Stakeholders might seek clarification on the criteria used by the Devon and Cornwall Police Counter-UAS Team to grant or deny permissions under regulation 3(2).

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Buckfastleigh, Devon) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 12th August 2026.

This section establishes the official name of the regulations.

It sets the date the legal restrictions take effect as 12 August 2026.

Interpretation

The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).

This section defines the time standard used for the restriction.

It specifies that all hours mentioned follow Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is noted as being one hour behind British Summer Time.

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0600 hours and ending with 1600 hours on 12th August 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 0.5 of a nautical mile which is centred at 502935N 0034633W.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Devon and Cornwall Police Counter-UAS Team.

This section creates a circular no-fly zone for drones and other unmanned aircraft within a 0.5 nautical mile radius of the specified coordinates in Buckfastleigh.

The ban applies to all altitudes below 1,400 feet above mean sea level during the 10-hour window on 12 August 2026.

It also provides an exemption for flights authorized by the Devon and Cornwall Police. Operators must obtain explicit permission from the police Counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Team to fly within this restricted zone during the specified period.

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