Crackdown on drones in the New Forest over risk to horse riders
HIGH-TECH drones could be brought down to earth by a medieval court based in the New Forest.
The little known Verderers’ Court, which dates from the 13th century and oversees how the forest is run, is mounting a crackdown after a catalogue of incidents and near misses.
The low-flying craft have spooked horses and buzzed private homes. They have also been spotted in sensitive areas during the bird breeding season and near busy public places.
The use of remote-controlled drones is banned in the New Forest under bylaws which state that “to operate any aircraft, glider, hot air balloon, raft or craft of any kind or any model aircraft, boat or car” without permission is forbidden.
However, that has not stopped enthusiasts using William the Conqueror’s former hunting grounds in Hampshire to pursue their hobby.
At the latest sitting of the court, verderer Jim Greenwood told of one close encounter.
“I was on my horse and a drone flew about 20ft above us,” he said.
“There were quite a few people about at the time. They aren’t meant to fly above large numbers of people.
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“It was flying lower than it was meant to and it is against Forestry Commission bylaws to fly them in the New Forest anyway. It didn’t frighten my horse but some would have been spooked.
“Something needs to be done before it becomes a bigger problem. It needs regulating.”
The court works in conjunction with the Forestry Commission, Natural England and owners of other areas of common land within the forest, such as the National Trust.
Clerk Sue Westwood said: “We are a quirk of history but a very valid one. We are the guardians of the forest and work to maintain its unique character.”
She said many enthusiasts travel to the New Forest unaware of the ban, wrongly believing its open spaces reduce the impact of flying a drone which might cause problems in urban areas.
It didn’t frighten my horse but some would have been spooked
“It might not seem serious but if you happen to be the person thrown from a horse then you might think differently,” said Ms Westwood.
“We are increasingly concerned and we are taking this issue very seriously.
“Of course there are questions over how this is policed, but if a drone spooks someone galloping a horse or disturbs a herd of ponies that run on to a road, then it is an issue that needs to be addressed.
“We are raising this in the hope we can make people understand that flying a drone in the forest could result in an accident.”
Richard Burke, of the Forestry Commission, said: “In our experience, few users have the correct training or permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to operate drones and should a drone cause harm, people often do not have the correct insurance to compensate those affected.
“Drones should not be flown near property and the special nature of the New Forest makes the risk of damage more serious.”