The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Chapeltown, South Yorkshire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft in Chapeltown due to a local emergency.
These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft at altitudes below 1,500 feet within a specific circular zone in Chapeltown, South Yorkshire. The Secretary of State for Transport issued this order in response to an unspecified emergency, granting South Yorkshire Police the authority to permit exceptions to the flight restriction.
The mandate applies to all unmanned aircraft operators within a 0.54 nautical mile radius of the specified coordinates.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that these restrictions are necessary for reasons affecting the public interest due to an emergency having arisen in the Chapeltown area.
The document states that the measures are intended to be temporary and will be revoked once the emergency has passed.
The regulations provide a specific exemption for aircraft operating under the direction of South Yorkshire Police, allowing for coordinated emergency response.
Arguments Against
The legislation does not specify the nature of the emergency, which may lead to uncertainty for local residents or businesses regarding the duration and scope of the restrictions.
Civil liberties groups or hobbyist pilots might question the necessity of a total ban on unmanned aircraft if the emergency is localized or does not impact air safety.
The immediate commencement of the regulations provides no notice period for drone operators already in the area, potentially leading to accidental non-compliance.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Chapeltown, South Yorkshire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations.
It mandates that the rules become legally binding immediately upon their signing at 9.30 p.m. on 15 September 2026.
Restricted airspace
- No unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,500 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 Yorkshire Police.
This section forbids the flight of drones and other unmanned aircraft within a defined geographic zone unless they are flying under the orders of the South Yorkshire Police. The restriction applies from ground level up to 1,500 feet above mean sea level.
The boundaries are defined as a circle with a radius of 0.54 nautical miles centered on the Chapeltown coordinates.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |-----------------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Chapeltown, South Yorkshire | 0.54 nautical mile | 532806N 0012854W |
The Schedule provides the precise geographical data for the restricted zone.
It identifies Chapeltown, South Yorkshire, as the location and sets a 0.54 nautical mile radius around the coordinates 532806N 0012854W.
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