The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Swinderby, Lincolnshire) Regulations 2026

Published: Fri 14th Aug 26

Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,200 feet near Swinderby, Lincolnshire, for the duration of the 2026 Lost Village Festival.

These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,200 feet above mean sea level in a specific area near Swinderby, Lincolnshire, between 27 August and 31 August 2026.

The restriction applies to all unmanned aircraft, with specific exceptions for those operated by police air support units or those with permission from the Lost Village Festival organizers.

The measure is intended to manage public safety and security during the Lost Village Festival.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that the restriction is necessary in the public interest due to an intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The Explanatory Note states that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport consider the measure necessary for reasons of public safety and security.
The document specifies that the restrictions are localized to the immediate vicinity of the Lost Village Festival and limited to altitudes below 1,200 feet above mean sea level.

Arguments Against

Operators of unmanned aircraft may encounter restricted access to the specified airspace during the four-day event period.
The legal effect of the restriction is contingent on the specific geographic coordinates provided, which may require technical mapping for operators to ensure compliance.
Commercial or recreational drone pilots not affiliated with the event organizers or police units are prohibited from the area without express permission from the Festival Operations Manager or Silver Commander.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Swinderby, Lincolnshire) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 27th August 2026.

This section establishes the official name of the regulations.

It sets the date the rules become legally enforceable as 27 August 2026.

Interpretation

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

This section clarifies that all times mentioned in the document use Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).

This time standard is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0700 hours on 27th August 2026 and ending with 1100 hours on 31st August 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,200 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following points-

(a) 530815N 0004248W,
(b) 530849N 0004130W,
(c) 530826N 0004107W,
(d) 530828N 0004048W,
(e) 530819N 0004047W,
(f) 530817N 0004059W,
(g) 530809N 0004050W,
(h) 530812N 0004115W,
(i) 530816N 0004141W,
(j) 530816N 0004204W,
(k) 530812N 0004245W, and
(l) 530815N 0004248W.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft-

(a) flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Lost Village Silver Commander or Festival Operations Manager, or
(b) operated by, or on behalf of, a police air support unit.

This section prohibits unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,200 feet within a specific geographic zone defined by twelve coordinate points.

The restriction remains in effect from 07:00 UTC on 27 August until 11:00 UTC on 31 August 2026.

Two exceptions are provided for this prohibition.

Flight is permitted if the operator has authorization from the festival's Silver Commander or Operations Manager, or if the aircraft is being used for police air support purposes.

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