The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Lytham St Annes) Regulations 2026
Established temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft near Lytham St Annes to ensure public safety during a major sporting event.
These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within a specified radius of Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, between 29 July and 2 August 2026.
The restrictions apply to all unmanned aircraft operators, except those granted specific permission by the Lancashire Police Drone Unit.
The Secretary of State for Transport issued these measures to manage public safety and security during a large-scale gathering for a professional golf championship.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the intended gathering of a large number of persons at the Royal Lytham and St Annes open golf championship.
The explanatory note states that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree with the Lancashire Constabulary that restrictions are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The regulations provide a mechanism for authorized flight, allowing the Lancashire Police Drone Unit to issue permissions for unmanned aircraft to operate within the restricted zone.
Arguments Against
Operators of unmanned aircraft may face restricted access to airspace they would otherwise be permitted to use, potentially affecting commercial or recreational activities.
The use of Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) in the regulations, which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST), could lead to confusion regarding the exact start and end times of the restrictions if not properly communicated to the public.
The legal effect depends on the notification of contact details for the Lancashire Police Drone Unit, and any delay or lack of clarity in this notification could hinder the process for seeking flight permissions.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Lytham St Annes) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 29th July 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations.
It sets the date on which the legal provisions become active as 29 July 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(2) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This section defines the time standard used to determine the applicable periods of the flight restrictions.
It mandates the use of Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is noted to be one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the periods specified in paragraph (2) no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1.5 nautical miles which is centred at 534449N 0030026W.
(2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1) begin with-
- (a) 0800 hours and end with 1600 hours on 29th July 2026,
- (b) 0600 hours and end with 1800 hours on each of the three days beginning with 30th July 2026 and ending with 1st August 2026, and
- (c) 0600 hours and end with 2000 hours on 2nd August 2026.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Lancashire Police Drone Unit.
This section creates a restricted flight zone with a 1.5 nautical mile radius around a specific coordinate in Lytham St Annes.
It prohibits unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,100 feet during specified windows over a five-day period.
Flight within this zone is permitted only if the operator has obtained explicit authorization from the Lancashire Police Drone Unit.
The restricted times vary by day, starting as early as 0600 hours and ending as late as 2000 hours UTC.
Related
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Trawsfynydd) Regulations 2026
Restricted flight operations below 3,000 feet in the Trawsfynydd area for a specific nine-hour period on 18 August 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Billing, Northampton) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an emergency no-fly zone for drones below 1,300 feet in Billing, Northampton, effective August 18, 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dowlais, South Wales) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Established an emergency restricted airspace zone for unmanned aircraft near Dowlais, South Wales, effective 15 August 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Llantrisant, South Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an immediate no-fly zone for drones below 1,500 feet in a 0.54 nautical mile radius around Llantrisant due to an emergency.
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