Drone Rules for Ardingly Reservoir

Landowner Policy & Site Rules

• Drone operations—including launching, landing, or operating on the ground—are strictly prohibited across the Ardingly Reservoir site without formal authorization.
• The reservoir loops, tracks, activity centre grounds, and shoreline areas are managed private property where on-site regulations rule out unauthorized remote-controlled aircraft operations.
• Operating a drone from the ground here without explicit prior written consent from the site management team constitutes trespassing on operational utility and conservation land.

Strategic Priority & Infrastructure

• Ardingly Reservoir is a key drinking water storage asset and a heavily protected local nature reserve.
• The site is a renowned regional bird-watching centre and an active feeding ground for wintering wildfowl and rare breeding species.
• Due to the high risk of visual and acoustic drone interference causing nesting disruption, local environmental management actively enforces a zero-tolerance stance on recreational flights to preserve the sanctuary's integrity.

Operational Security Protocols

• Active land monitoring and perimeter checks are carried out by on-site wardens, estate staff, and associated water sports centre personnel.
• Any unauthorized drone operators identified operating from the ground will be approached, instructed to safely land their aircraft immediately, and requested to pack up and leave the property.
• On-site management maintains a strict policy regarding safety and privacy compliance, and persistent offenders will be reported to local wildlife or law enforcement authorities.

Permissions & Exceptions

• Ground permissions are entirely unavailable for all recreational, amateur, or hobbyist drone flyers.
• Exceptions are strictly reserved for commercial utility surveys, official structural dam asset inspections, or authorized ecological tracking and research projects.
• Professional pilots requiring access must contact the managing estate or utility authorities directly well in advance to obtain formal written permission, submit a detailed risk assessment, and provide a valid CAA operational authorization alongside comprehensive commercial public liability insurance.