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S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 504
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gatcombe Park)
(Restricted Area EGR1U083) Regulations 2026
Made - - - - 12th May 2026
Coming into force - - 14th May 2026
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of
unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 2(1) having regard to the security
considerations associated with this location by reason of it being the residence of members of the
Royal Family.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by
article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016(a).
Citation and commencement
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gatcombe
Park) (Restricted Area EGR1U083) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 14th May
2026.
Restricted airspace
2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,700 feet above mean sea
level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following points—
(a) 514214N 0021055W,
(b) 514236N 0020937W,
(c) 514143N 0020821W,
(d) 514104N 0020905W,
(e) 514040N 0021035W,
(f) 514131N 0021151W, and
(g) 514214N 0021055W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft—
(a) operated by or on behalf of—
(i) a Police Air Support Unit,
(ii) an Emergency Medical Service, or
(iii) a member of the Royal Family, or
(a) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.(b) flying in accordance with the permission of the Gloucestershire Constabulary Royalty
Household Protection Group.
Revocation of Regulations
3. The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gatcombe Park) (Restricted Zone EG RU183)
Regulations 2025(a) are revoked.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Karen L Michaels
Grade 7
12th May 2026 Department for Transport
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of
Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire. In view of the need for security for members of the Royal
Family and other dignitaries staying at or visiting Gatcombe Park and at the request of the security
services, it has been agreed by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport that
flying should be restricted in the vicinity of that location for reasons of public safety and security.
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 2(2)(b), the Gloucestershire Constabulary
Royalty Household Protection Group may be contacted as notified.
Full details of this statutory instrument will be included in the United Kingdom Aeronautical
Information Publication (AIP). The restricted area has been designated as EGR1U083 for the
purpose of inclusion in the AIP and in related charts and documents.
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr David Ridley, Airspace Regulator,
Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382471.
(a) S.I. 2025/907.
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