Drone Rules for Lake Vyrnwy

Landowner Policy & Site Rules

• Drone operations—including launching, landing, or operating on the ground—are strictly prohibited across the Lake Vyrnwy estate without explicit prior authorization.
• The reservoir and its massive surrounding nature reserve are managed by Hafren Dyfrdwy (Severn Trent) and the RSPB. They enforce a strict ban on recreational remote-controlled aircraft.
• Operating an unmanned aircraft from the ground here without formal written consent from the utility company constitutes trespassing on operational utility and conservation land.

Strategic Priority & Infrastructure

• Lake Vyrnwy is a major drinking water supply reservoir in Powys, Wales, and serves as a highly sensitive ecological habitat and nature reserve for breeding birds.
• Furthermore, the lake sits within a valley corridor frequently used by low-flying RAF training jets. Ground rules are heavily maintained to protect visitor safety, ensure military aviation safety, and prevent visual or acoustic disturbances that threaten protected avian species.

Operational Security Protocols

• Active land monitoring and routine perimeter checks are carried out across the site boundaries, dams, and paths by utility staff and RSPB wardens.
• Any unauthorized drone operators identified operating from the ground will be approached, instructed to safely land their aircraft immediately, and required to cease operations on the property.
• Safety infractions or persistent non-compliance near operational facilities or bird hides will be reported to local authorities.

Permissions & Exceptions

• Ground permissions are entirely unavailable for all recreational, amateur, or hobbyist drone flyers.
• Exceptions are strictly reserved for commercial utility surveys, necessary structural inspections, or pre-approved professional media crews.
• Professional pilots requiring access must contact Hafren Dyfrdwy's filming office to make a formal application, submitting a detailed flight plan/risk assessment, and providing proof of a valid CAA operational authorization alongside comprehensive commercial public liability insurance.