Drones

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Here at Elan, we want everybody to enjoy the wonderful scenery, but to ensure the privacy and safety of all users, and the protection of our operational assets, drones are not permitted to fly over any of our locations at any time without Welsh Water’s consent.

If you would like to apply for permission and find out more about regulations, advisories and licences required, please contact press@dwrcymru.com

For commercial drone operations, you must complete an Application for Licence (Drones) to access Welsh Water estate form and send it to statutory.maintenance@dwrcymru.com

The RAF are cleared to use parts of Mid Wales, including the Elan & Claerwen valleys, for low-level flight training. These timetables can be found on www.gov.uk website under LFA7(T), outside of these times fast jets can operate to 76m. Restrictions on airspace can be found by using Sky Demon.

Bird Nesting Season:

March – September; during this time many activities are not permitted to protect nesting birds from disturbance and their nests from destruction or damage (which is a criminal offence), here at Elan this extends to our rocks and cliff faces. We ask that these areas along with woodland, hedgerows and open moorland are avoided at this time to minimise any disturbance to nesting birds – some of which are quite rare.

Avoid woodland, forestry & hedgerow areas.

Do not fly close to rocky outcrops or cliff edges.

Leave nest sites well alone, disturbance could mean eggs become abandoned.

The Civil Aviation Authority and Air Navigation Order requires all Drone operators to adhere to the Drone Code:

  • Don’t fly near airports or airfields
  • Remember to stay below 400ft / 120m
  • Observe your drone at all times – stay 150ft / 50m away from people and property
  • Never fly near aircraft
  • Enjoy responsibly

Ignoring these guidelines can lead to prosecution from the CAA and being reported to the police; endangering an aircraft can lead to 5 years imprisonment.