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  • #17

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Opened Jun 19, 2025 by Ahmad Mcdermott@ahmadmcdermott
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Drone Wars in England's Prettiest Village: Locals Call In Police

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Enraged homeowners of the UK's 'most gorgeous village' have been forced to contact the police following an increase of tourists flying drones over their homes.

Villagers living in scenic Castle Combe, Wiltshire, have actually claimed that their privacy is being interrupted by lots of tourists using drones to take aerial video of your houses and streets.

The picturesque Cotswolds town, home to around 400 people, has been called one of the most gorgeous places in the UK, boasting beautiful walking routes and quaint old streets.

Popular with travelers and even featuring in blockbuster movies such as Steven Spielberg's War Horse, thousands of holidaymakers flock to the lovely destination each year.

And now, a former councillor has actually stated that residents have actually been dislodged, having been prevented by over-tourism and encroaches on individual privacy.

They claim that the growing influx of vacation homes and invasive travelers has put enhanced pressure on the council and homeowners - with the village ending up being 'burrowed' by second homes and Airbnbs.

Castle Combe Parish Council has even put indications around the town warning people not to use drones. Meanwhile, villagers have actually began propping up 'no drone' indications in their windows in the hope that it will prevent travelers.

Enraged homeowners of the UK's 'most lovely town', Castle Combe, Wiltshire (visualized), state their privacy has been disturbed by increasing numbers of tourists utilizing drones to take aerial video of your houses and streets

Thousands of holidaymakers flock to the charming location each year. Now, a former councillor has stated that citizens have been required out, having been discouraged by over-tourism and encroaches on individual privacy (Pictured: tourists in Castle Combe trying to find drones)

In a quote for personal privacy, Castle Combe Parish Council has put signs around the town warning individuals not to utilize drones (envisioned). Meanwhile, villagers have likewise started propping up 'no drone' check in their windows in the hope that it will discourage tourists

Complaining that drones infringe on 'individuals's personal lives' and even present a security threat following a boost in local robberies, Nick Botterill, the previous district councillor for Castle Combe, explained them as a 'problem on numerous levels'.

The retired entrepreneur and local authority councillor in 2 areas added: 'The parish council's done a good job at setting up indications to hinder individuals however it's one of those things that has actually grown from nowhere to become a considerable annoyance.

'It's such a localised issue. As the regional member I participated in parish council meetings and this is something that came up and was talked about numerous times.

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

Mr Botterill, 62, stated the issue had ended up being even more popular given that the pandemic, alleging that 'a growing number of' tourists are bringing drones in order to take photos.

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

'People are having them at rather low levels when there are lots of people around, so it's not just a personal privacy problem; actually is it safe to do so in confined locations?

Complaining that drones infringe on 'individuals's private lives' and even present a security threat following an increase in regional burglaries, Nick Botterill, 62, the previous district councillor for Castle Combe, explained them as a 'problem on various levels'

Frederick Peter Winup, chairman of the Castle Combe Parish Council, stated that locals were becoming increasingly worried about personal privacy and security, even reporting one instance in which the police were called as an outcome of the 'intrusive' drone use by travelers

'You have actually got these things increasing and people loitering and introducing them, they're buzzing around, they could quickly crash them into structures, they're taking pictures of people's personal locations - they're a problem on many levels. Somebody was followed along the street by one.'

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

Prohibited locations consist of 150 metres horizontally of property, commercial, industrial or leisure areas.

The former district councillor also complained that the substantial number of tourists are failing to increase the local economy, including that they are 'simply making an annoyance of themselves due to the fact that they spend an hour and then buzz off'.

As an outcome of regional complaints, Mr Botterill declared Wiltshire Council have actually made efforts to alleviate the destructive impacts of tourism.

The procedures include traffic management systems and also social media posts created to discourage visitors throughout hectic periods such as bank vacations by warning them that it would be tough to discover parking.

Frederick Peter Winup, chairman of the Castle Combe Parish Council, said that locals were ending up being progressively concerned about personal privacy and security, even reporting one instance in which the cops were called as an outcome of the 'invasive' drone use by travelers.

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

'The bulk of users are not purposefully desiring to trigger a problem, they like to have a memory of a pretty village, however they do not realise they're invading people's privacy in their homes. When it occurs rather a lot people 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 occasion, he said a drone was constantly flown over his head while he was strolling along the street.

Nick, a who lives nearby to the stunning village, described how Castle Combe had become 'burrowed' as an outcome of tourists.

Georgina Kingshott, a post-doctoral scientist, moved to the town in 2016 after getting away London for a quieter life. But now, she describes life in the as soon as charming town as 'horrible' due to an increase of 'invasive' tourists who 'will pitch up at one of the benches and be here throughout the day'

In one circumstances, Mr Winup reported witnessing a drone hovering over him while he was sat in his garden. On another event, he stated a drone was continuously flown over his head while he was strolling along the street

In general, drones can be legally flown over a village in the UK, however they must comply with the guidelines set out by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Prohibited locations consist of 150 metres horizontally of domestic, industrial, commercial or leisure locations

British cops forces are still utilizing Chinese drones regardless of MI5 alert over spying worries

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

'But it's a lovely village and individuals are drawn in and I can rather understand why individuals concern look at it. I'm not pretending it's Venice but the same sort of arguments - how do you mitigate impacts? - are quite challenging.'

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

Speaking previously, other citizens said the variety of people who reside in the town full-time has actually fallen greatly recently - with houses being purchased and used as second homes or Airbnbs.

Georgina Kingshott, a post-doctoral scientist, relocated to the town in 2016 after leaving London for a quieter life.

And now, she explains life in the when lovely village as 'dreadful' due to an influx of 'intrusive' tourists who 'will pitch up at one of the benches and be here all day'.

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

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

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

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Reference: ahmadmcdermott/theeasternacres#17