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Opened Jun 17, 2025 by Bret Cason@bretcason07071
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Drone Wars in England's Prettiest Village: Locals Call In Police


Enraged citizens of the UK's 'most stunning town' have been required to the police following an increase of travelers flying drones over their homes.
bloglines.com
Villagers living in scenic Castle Combe, Wiltshire, have claimed that their privacy is being disrupted by dozens of travelers using drones to take aerial video footage of your homes and streets.

The picturesque Cotswolds village, home to around 400 people, has actually been dubbed among the most beautiful places in the UK, boasting picturesque strolling paths and charming old streets.

Popular with tourists and even featuring in hit films such as Steven Spielberg's War Horse, countless holidaymakers flock to the lovely location each year.

Now, a former councillor has actually said that citizens have actually been required out, having been prevented by over-tourism and encroaches on individual privacy.

They claim that the growing influx of holiday homes and intrusive tourists has put improved pressure on the council and property owners - with the town becoming 'hollowed out' by 2nd homes and Airbnbs.

Castle Combe Parish Council has even placed signs around the village cautioning people not to use drones. Meanwhile, villagers have actually started propping up 'no drone' check in their windows in the hope that it will discourage tourists.

Enraged citizens of the UK's 'most lovely village', Castle Combe, Wiltshire (imagined), say their privacy has actually been interrupted by increasing varieties of tourists using drones to take aerial video footage of your homes and streets

Countless holidaymakers flock to the captivating location each year. Today, a previous councillor has actually said that citizens have actually been forced out, having actually been discouraged by over-tourism and encroaches on individual privacy (Pictured: tourists in Castle Combe searching for drones)

In a bid for privacy, Castle Combe Parish Council has positioned signs around the village warning individuals not to utilize drones (pictured). Meanwhile, villagers have also started propping up 'no drone' check in their windows in the hope that it will discourage travelers

Complaining that drones infringe on 'people's private lives' and even posture a security threat following a boost in local thefts, Nick Botterill, the former district councillor for Castle Combe, explained them as a 'annoyance on numerous levels'.

The retired company owner and local authority councillor in 2 locations included: 'The parish council's done an excellent job at installing indications to hinder individuals but it's one of those things that has actually grown from nowhere to end up being a substantial nuisance.

'It's such a localised concern. As the local member I participated in parish council meetings and this is something that showed up and was gone over several times.

'Various indications have actually been set up recommending users of drones what they can and can't do.'

Mr Botterill, 62, stated the issue had become much more popular because the pandemic, declaring that 'a growing number of' tourists are bringing drones in order to take photos.

Emphasising that visitors should bear in mind that the charming town is 'not a style park', he included: 'It's got to the stage where it's no longer simply the odd thing.

'People are having them at quite low levels when there are great deals of people around, so it's not just a personal privacy issue; in fact is it safe to do so in restricted locations?

Complaining that drones infringe on 'individuals's personal lives' and even posture a security risk following an increase in local robberies, Nick Botterill, 62, the previous district councillor for Castle Combe, explained them as a 'problem on numerous levels'

Frederick Peter Winup, chairman of the Castle Combe Parish Council, said that locals were ending up being increasingly concerned about privacy and safety, even reporting one circumstances in which the cops were called as an outcome of the 'invasive' drone use by tourists

'You've got these things going up and people hanging around and introducing them, they're buzzing around, they might quickly crash them into buildings, they're taking pictures of individuals's personal locations - they're a nuisance on numerous levels. Somebody was followed along the street by one.'

In basic, drones can be legally flown over a village in the UK, nevertheless they should follow the regulations set out by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Prohibited areas include 150 metres horizontally of domestic, business, commercial or leisure areas.

The previous district councillor also grumbled that the significant variety of travelers are failing to boost the local economy, including that they are 'just making a nuisance of themselves because they invest an hour and then buzz off'.

As a result of local complaints, Mr Botterill declared Wiltshire Council have made efforts to reduce the destructive impacts of tourism.

The measures consist of traffic management systems and likewise social networks posts designed to discourage visitors during hectic periods such as bank vacations by cautioning them that it would be challenging to find parking.

Frederick Peter Winup, chairman of the Castle Combe Parish Council, said that residents were becoming increasingly worried about personal privacy and safety, even reporting one circumstances in which the authorities were called as an outcome of the 'invasive' drone use by tourists.

He said: 'About a month ago someone was filming children in a garden and the authorities were called and seized the footage. It's simply not on to do that sort of thing.

'The majority of users are not purposefully wanting to cause a problem, they like to have a memory of a quite town, but they don't realise they're attacking people's privacy in their homes. When it occurs quite a lot individuals get quite irritated about it.'

In one instance, Mr Winup even reported seeing a drone hovering over him while he was beinged in his garden. On another event, he said a drone was continually flown over his head while he was walking along the street.

Nick, a local resident who lives nearby to the attractive town, described how Castle Combe had ended up being 'burrowed' as a result of tourists.

Georgina Kingshott, a post-doctoral scientist, transferred to the town in 2016 after getting away London for a quieter life. Now, she explains life in the as soon as charming town as 'awful' due to an increase of 'intrusive' tourists who 'will pitch up at one of the benches and be here all the time'

In one instance, Mr Winup reported seeing a drone hovering over him while he was beinged in his garden. On another occasion, he said a drone was constantly flown over his head while he was walking along the street

In general, drones can be lawfully flown over a village in the UK, nevertheless they should abide by the regulations set out by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Prohibited locations include 150 metres horizontally of residential, business, industrial or recreational areas

British police are still utilizing Chinese drones despite MI5 alert over spying worries

He added: 'There are rather a few Airbnbs and 2nd homes; typically there has actually been a drifting away. It's the usual factors - people might offer their residential or commercial property for a large amount, there is nowhere to park, no shops and it becomes sort of self-reinforcing after a while.

'But it's a lovely town and individuals are attracted and I can rather comprehend why people concern look at it. I'm not pretending it's Venice however the exact same sort of arguments - how do you mitigate impacts? - are quite hard.'

He likewise reported that tourists have been remarkably 'receptive' to the indications, which have actually been up for about a year.

Speaking formerly, other homeowners said the number of people who live in the village full-time has fallen dramatically recently - with houses being bought and utilized as 2nd homes or Airbnbs.

Georgina Kingshott, a post-doctoral scientist, transferred to the village in 2016 after escaping London for a quieter life.

But now, she describes life in the as soon as captivating town as 'horrible' due to an influx of 'intrusive' tourists who 'will pitch up at one of the benches and be here all the time'.

Outlining her aggravations, she said: 'In the hotter months people pitch up like it is the beach which can be a bit frustrating. There are coaches that come and do guided trips of the Cotswolds so we will have those pitch up a couple of times a day.

'The other bad thing is that people will fly their drones across the village. It feels extremely invasive. They are not expected to do that and there are register and down.

'You will wander into the garden and hear the noise of a drone and think "what is going on?"

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Reference: bretcason07071/bomja#1