Large commercial drones have been operating from Lansdowne Park and Lansdowne Crescent, but only when there is a race meeting at Worcester Race Course. From speaking to the drone operators, it has become clear that they are using drones to film the horse races for betting syndicates elsewhere in the world. It is questionable whether this is a legal activity.
According to the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) when flying a drone in towns and cities, you should:
- keep 50m away from uninvolved people, to avoid endangering them
- In most cases, unless flying a drone that is less than 250g, you must keep at least 150 metres horizontally away from parks, industrial, residential and built-up areas.
It also states that for larger drones, which these seem to be, “you must stay at least 50 metres horizontally away from people and 150 metres horizontally away from parks, industrial and built-up areas.”
These operators appear to fail to meet these requirements and so are likely to be operating illegally.
The next race meeting is tomorrow (30th June) afternoon, with the first race at 1:20pm. I am asking for residents in the area to join me in Lansdowne Park from 1pm, to “reclaim” the park for residents. Flying a drone as a hobby is fine and certainly not something I would want to stop. This, however, is on a very different scale. I have had reports of dangerous flying, with the drones landing in the road forcing cars to stop suddenly.
Please join me and other residents tomorrow afternoon – bring a picnic, a football, a kite, or whatever you want! We will not be confrontational. We will just be enjoying the park. We expect the police to be in the area. Hope to see you tomorrow.
Morning Matt, great this is happening. They also fly from Lansdowne Crescent over the allotments, stopping traffic to land
So much concern being shown about a drone, how about dealing with the Disability Discrimination taking place in the area. Oh I forget now that Green Party are elected, all promises disappear. Residents have their places to park cars. New pavements for some. Where has the phone number gone for the elderly or no internet to buy permits as promised. Carer permits all about how much money they could get out of the area. No Care between 8.30am and 5.30pm really great Green Party.
The phone number is still the same – 0345 520 7007 – and on the website for residents without internet access. We are looking at improving the telephone access for visitor permits, as we have been having issues with the service provided by MiPermit. As to carer permits, can you explain what the issue is with the permit scheme for carers? There is no restriction of care between 8:30am and 5:30pm, other than not being able to park on single yellow lines at this time, which was always the case (I thought).