Before flying a drone in Herefordshire make sure you:
- Have the correct CAA registration and IDs
- Follow the CAA Drone Code
- Respect people’s privacy
- Apply for permission if your drone filming is part of a commercial production
- Check and local restrictions before flying
Need advice? Our filming team can help filming@herefordshire.gov.uk
Drones can be a great way to capture footage and showcase Herefordshire from a different angle.
However, if you are planning to use a drone for filming, it’s important to make sure your flight is safe, legal and respectful of people’s privacy. Below helps to explain everything you need to know before filming with your drone.
The flying of drones and unmanned aerial systems, for any purpose, is governed by legislation to protect the safety and privacy of both the user and the public. If you plan to use drones you must make sure you meet the requirements of national legislation and any local byelaws or you could face prosecution.
By doing this, this helps to keep flights safe and legal for everyone.
Drones can also be referred to as:
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
- Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS)
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
- Small unmanned Aerial System (SUAS)
Before you fly
- Register before flying any model aircraft outdoors in the UK.
- If you will be flying the drone, it is a legal requirement that you must pass a theory test to get a flyer ID
- If you're responsible for a drone or model aircraft, it is a legal requirement that you must register for an operator ID
Full information about the theory test and registration is on the Civil Aviation Authority's website. You can get both your flyer ID and operator ID at the same time.
Flying safely
To help keep everyone safe, make sure you:
- Read the CAA's Drone Code on flying safely and responsibly
- Read the CAA's Drone Code on where you can fly safely
- Check where you can fly safely before doing so
- Consider people, public spaces and buildings
- Plan ahead and assess any potential risks
Respecting Privacy
When using a drone, being responsible for other people’s privacy is important. When filming, please be mindful of not filming or photographing individuals with clear reason.
There is guidance from the CAA on not invading privacy, and also from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) on respecting privacy considerations to help you understand your responsibilities.
Commercial filming with drones
If you're using a drone as part of a commercial filming project in Herefordshire, you'll need permission from Herefordshire Council and the relevant filming fees will apply.
When completing your filming application, simply let us know that your project will involve drone filming. filming in Herefordshire application form
If you're unsure whether permission is needed, we're happy to help.
Report a concern
If you have concerns regarding potential misuse contact the Police on 101 or 999 (in an emergency) with the following information:
- Where is the drone and where is the pilot - Location
- Description of the drone / pilot
- When did this incident take place
- What is causing you concern / reason for supporting the issue
- If possible record video of the concerning incident and events
Use of drones for community protection
The Community Protection Team at Herefordshire Council may use the above technologies to enable us to pursue enquiries made by members of the public. The focus will be to view land and premises in the county in relation to:
- Queries raised by members of the public
- Investigations of illegal activity
In the course of this work, it is possible that individuals on the ground may be recorded. Our privacy notice sets out how we operate and how we will protect your privacy in these cases.
Read our Drone, model aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles privacy notice.
Drones over residential areas
We may from time to time operate the council's drones over residential or highly populated areas.
For transparency purposes we list the upcoming flights and their locations.
The drone will never be flown covertly and the land owner will always be made aware prior to flight.
We hold an Operational Authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the flights will be in accordance with our drone operations manual.
Drone flights for 2026
| Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 14 July 2026 | Openfields traveller site, Bromyard, WR6 5TF and the immediate surrounding land |
Monitoring the build up and/or deposit of illegal waste |
| 1 - 14 June 2026 | Openfields traveller site, Bromyard, WR6 5TF and the immediate surrounding land |
To check land for unauthorised encampments and monitoring the build up/deposit of illegal waste |
| 12 June 2026 10.30am - 12 noon | Watery Lane Traveller Site and surrounding enterprise zone |
Property survey purposes |
| 22 - 29 May 2026 | Tinkers Corner, Coddington, Bosbury, HR8 1HZ |
To check land for unauthorised encampments |
| 5 - 15 May 2026 | Tinkers Corner, Coddington, Bosbury, HR8 1HZ |
To check land for unauthorised encampments |
| 20 April - 1 May 2026 | Tinkers Corner, Coddington, Bosbury, HR8 1HZ |
To check land for unauthorised encampments |
| 9 April 2026 | Tinkers Corner, Coddington, Bosbury, HR8 1HZ |
To check land for unauthorised encampments |
| 1 - 14 April 2026 | Land surrounding A49/A44 roundabout, Leominster |
Documenting and checking the progress of waste clearance |
| 1 April 2026 | Tinkers Corner, Coddington, Bosbury, HR8 1HZ |
Monitoring the build up and/or deposit of illegal waste and structure audit |
| 23 March 2026 | Near Coddington, Bosbury |
- |
| 20 March 2026 | Near Grafton |
- |
| 4 March 2026 | Tinkers Corner, Coddington, Bosbury, HR8 1HZ | Monitoring the build-up and/or deposits of illegal waste |
| 2 - 6 March 2026 | Madley Industrial Estate, Madley, Hereford HR2 9NQ | Aerial inspection |
| 11 February 2026 | Madley Industrial Estate, Madley, Hereford HR2 9NQ | Aerial inspection |