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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. 768
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Lytham St Annes)
Regulations 2026
Made - - - - 8th July 2026
Coming into force - - 29th July 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 3(1) by reason of the intending gathering
there of a large number of persons.
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) (Lytham St
Annes) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 29th July 2026.
Interpretation
2. In regulation 3(2) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time(b).
Restricted airspace
3.—(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.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Karen L Michaels
Grade 7
(a) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
(b) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).8th July 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 Lytham
St Annes in Lancashire, where the gathering of a large number of persons is due to take place
there for the Royal Lytham and St Annes open golf championship on 29th July to 2nd August
2026, inclusive. At the request of the Lancashire Constabulary, the Civil Aviation Authority and
the Department for Transport agree that the flying of unmanned aircraft should be restricted in the
vicinity of the event for reasons of public safety and security.
The times mentioned in regulation 3(2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour
behind British Summer Time (BST).
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 3(3), the Lancashire Police Drone Unit may
be contacted as notified.
Full details of these Regulations will be promulgated by Briefing Sheet and Notice to Aviation
(NOTAM).
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.
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