Stunning images captured by drones show London's parks from above - as ban on flying them is branded 'ridiculous' by enthusiasts

 
Amazing drone footage of deer in Richmond Park
Robin de Peyer9 March 2015

These stunning images shot using a drone show one of London's most famous parks from above - but new rules may curtail any new footage such as this.

The remarkable pictures and video of Richmond Park shows the vast expanse of open space in south-west London from soaring heights.

And it also shows off some of the herd of 630 deer roaming free in one of the capital's historic Royal Parks.

But enthusiasts fear it will no longer be possible to capture images such as these in future due to new rules being introduced.

Drone pilots have been told not to fly near Buckingham Palace or in London's Royal Parks with notices warning they would be breaking rules because "model aircraft" are not allowed.

From above: the footage provides breathtaking views of Richmond Park

Notices seen in the parks read: “The flying of drones or model aircraft in the park is prohibited. By order of the Secretary of State.”

The ban is said to be a reaction to fears over the possible negative impact of drones on wildlife in the parks, as well as the safety of visitors.

Aviation rules currently in place dictate that drones cannot be flown within 50 metres of people and over or within 150 metres of a "congested area".

Fears over privacy have been dismissed by enthusiasts

Drone enthusiast John Edwards insisted fears over the craft are misplaced, and said a ban would further limit where people could use them.

The IT worker told the Standard: "It's ridiculous. What are our parks for, they're for the general public to go and enjoy themselves from it. They're not doing anything wrong.

"I think people are getting scared of using them now from all the press that's happening."

He added: "Where can you really fly? You're not allowed to fly in a built up area, you're not allowed to fly in a park.

"It's an open space. It sounds like a bunch of bees in the air, that's all it really sounds like - the animals are not affected in any way."

Mr Edwards, who has been flying the craft for around a year and runs a YouTube channel displaying his videos, dismissed fears about their safety and urged people to enjoy the footage they are able to generate.

"Everyone's talking negatively about drones, but the footage we're getting off drones now is like nothing we've ever seen before," the 39-year-old said.

"This is what 90 per cent of all 'droners' are doing; filming beautiful things and putting them on YouTube and everyone's loving it."

Deer herd: the park is home to hundreds of deer

Mr Edwards, who lives in Crystal Palace, also dismissed fears of drones being used by terrorists after fears were raised when they were seen flying over landmarks in Paris.

Brendan Schulman, a lawyer who specialises in drones and aviation, said the clampdown in the Royal Parks was an "unfortunate reaction.

And Nick Summers, a reporter for technology website Engadget, wrote: "The House of Lords EU Committee is already debating tougher guidelines that would affect drone ownership in the UK; until they become law, we're probably going to see more signs like this one cropping up around Britain."

But a report into the growing use of drones last year raised concerns over their impact on people's privacy.

The University of Birmingham Policy Commission Report raised "significant safety, security and privacy concerns" and called for "urgent" measures to regulate their use.

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