The new rules you will have to follow to fly a drone in Sidmouth

Strict new rules around how drones can be used in Sidmouth and the wider East Devon area have been outlined.

East Devon District Council has created a new drone policy is in response to an upsurge in public requests and the increasing frequency of drone usage in its parks, public open spaces and beaches.

The new policy stipulates that any drone may only be flown from and over land if the land owner has given written permission, and that drones may not be flown from or above council land without first obtaining written permission from East Devon District Council.

If any person is found to be using a drone device from East Devon District Council land without a letter of permission, they will be instructed to stop immediately.

No details in the policy are provided as to what happens if they refuse the request to stop.

From now on, to a fly a drone over council owned land you will need to:

-Provide a description of the purpose of the flight

-Provide a copy of your public liability insurance certificate (with provides cover for a minimum of £10,000,000 in respect of any one claim).

-Provide a copy of your flight plan including specified launch and landing points.

-Provide a copy of the site assessment

-Provide a copy of your CAA issued Permission for Commercial Operation (PfCO) document.

If permission is granted then the operator must also agree to:

-Make sure the area is safe at all times whilst using the drone.

-Ensure that they at all times comply with the current Civil Aviation Authority Air Navigation Order and the current Drone Code.

-Indemnify the council against any injury or damage caused.

-Have in place suitable secure arrangements for the handling of personal data captured.

Anyone wishing to undertake commercial photography, filming, or other drone activity, over council owned land, will have to pay £200 before final permission is granted.

If the council wishes to film using a drone then they will only hire a pilot or company with the appropriate Civil Aviation Authority permission/accreditation.

Explaining why the policy is need, a report to next Thursday's overview committee says the close proximity of many of parks and open spaces or other council owned land to neighbouring residential and business properties means there is a potential risk of causing disturbance, annoyance or harassment to occupants and the users.

It adds there is a potential risk of accident, injury to visitors and site users to parks and green spaces or council property as a result of user or drone error and that granting permission for drones to be used could leave the council liable for subsequent actions brought about by drone activity when operated from land in the council's ownership.

The policy states that drones may not be flown from or above council land without first obtaining written permission from East Devon District Council.

Permission will only be granted, where usage of a drone device aids risk reduction in the work place such as working at height, land and building survey work, or for the undertaking professional services such as festivals, archaeological survey, events media, and then subject to conditions.

If any person/persons are found to be using a drone device from East Devon District Council land without a letter of permission they will be instructed to stop immediately.

Lanterns will also be banned from being released on council owned land.

The new policy has already been put in place, but the Overview Committee will discuss the report and will be provided with an understanding of the Drone policy following a request that they had made in 2019.