Drone Flying Rules on Cannock Chase — AONB & MOD Camp Restrictions (2026)

Key Rules for Flying a Drone on Cannock Chase

Cannock Chase AONB covers 68 square kilometres of heathland, forest, and open country in southern Staffordshire, sitting between Stafford, Rugeley, Cannock, and Penkridge. It is the smallest AONB in mainland England, but its combination of protected habitats, heavy visitor traffic, and military history makes drone flying more complicated than the area's compact size might suggest.

The CAA Drone and Model Aircraft Code (CAP 2320, March 2026) applies across the entire Chase:

• Flyer ID required — drones weighing 100g or more need a Flyer ID (free online test).
• Operator ID required — drones weighing 250g or more must be registered (£10.33 per year), with the ID displayed on the aircraft.
• Maximum altitude 120m (400ft) — measured from the ground directly below.
• Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) — see the drone at all times without aids.
• 50m from uninvolved people — Cannock Chase is one of the most visited open spaces in the Midlands, with over two million visitors per year. Maintaining this distance on busy weekends requires careful timing and location choice.
• 150m from residential, commercial, or recreational areas — car parks, mountain bike trails, visitor centres, and Go Ape all count.

Landowner Permission and Byelaws

Land on Cannock Chase is managed by a patchwork of organisations, each with its own drone policy:

• Forestry England — manages large areas of the Chase's conifer and broadleaf woodland. Forestry England does not permit drone take-off or landing on its land without prior permission. You can apply for a permit, but it is not routinely granted for recreational use.
• Staffordshire County Council — owns sections of the Chase designated as country park. The council's byelaws may restrict drone flying in areas with high visitor footfall.
• National Trust — manages Shugborough Estate on the Chase's eastern edge. The Trust prohibits drone take-off and landing without written permission.
• Private landowners — farmland and estates border the Chase. Consent is needed from the landowner of any take-off or landing site.

The Cannock Chase AONB Unit does not itself grant or refuse drone permissions — that responsibility lies with the landowner or land manager.

MOD Camp and Military Connections

Cannock Chase has a deep military history. During the First World War, two massive training camps — Brocton Camp and Rugeley Camp — occupied the Chase and trained hundreds of thousands of troops. During the Second World War, the area was again used for military training and housed prisoner-of-war camps.

Today, the Chase is no longer an active military base. However, there are considerations for drone pilots:

• MOD Stafford (Beacon Barracks) — a functioning Army signals base lies on the western edge of the Chase, near Stafford. Since February 2026, new legislation restricts drone flying near named MOD sites. While Beacon Barracks may not appear on every civilian drone map, restricted airspace could apply above and around the base.
• RAF Shawbury — located approximately 25 kilometres northwest of the Chase. Military helicopter training flights from Shawbury regularly transit the Staffordshire skies. Fly below 120m and remain aware of helicopter traffic.
• Check the February 2026 MOD restrictions — the new regulations establish restricted zones around more than 40 defence sites. Verify whether MOD Stafford is listed and what altitude limits apply using the NATS UAS restriction map.

SSSI and Wildlife Restrictions

The heart of Cannock Chase is designated as an SSSI, protecting one of the largest surviving areas of lowland heathland in the Midlands. The heathland supports rare species that are sensitive to disturbance:

• Nightjar — a Schedule 1 species that nests on the ground from May to August. Nightjars are active at dusk, and drone flights during evening hours in summer could disturb them. Flying over known nightjar territories during the breeding season is likely to constitute a criminal offence.
• Woodlark — another ground-nesting bird found on the Chase's heathland, also protected under Schedule 1.
• Fallow deer — Cannock Chase is famous for its fallow deer herd. While deer are not Schedule 1 species, chasing or harassing them with a drone could lead to prosecution under animal welfare legislation.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, disturbing Schedule 1 species at or near their nest is a criminal offence. The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England monitor the Chase's wildlife and may report drone disturbance to the police.

Best Spots for Drone Flying on Cannock Chase

• Seven Springs area (eastern Chase) — open heathland away from the busiest visitor areas. Best outside breeding season (August–February). Private land, so secure permission first.
• Brindley Valley — a quieter section of the Chase with mixed woodland and heath. Early mornings on weekdays offer the fewest visitors. Check Forestry England permission requirements.
• Sherbrook Valley viewpoint — offers dramatic valley views but is popular with walkers. Dawn flights outside peak season may work if you can maintain the 50m people distance.
• Eastern farmland margins — agricultural land bordering the AONB's eastern edge may be easier to get landowner permission for and sits away from the most sensitive heathland SSSI areas.

Avoid the Birches Valley Forest Centre, Go Ape, and the mountain bike trail heads. These areas attract heavy visitor numbers and make it impossible to maintain safe distances from uninvolved people.

Penalties for Breaking Drone Rules

• Flying without registration — fine up to £1,000.
• Breaching the Drone Code (altitude, distance, VLOS) — fine up to £2,500.
• Flying near an MOD site without authorisation — criminal offence under the February 2026 MOD drone regulations. Penalties include unlimited fines.
• Disturbing Schedule 1 species — prosecution under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, fines up to £5,000 per offence, or up to six months' imprisonment.
• Trespassing for launch/landing — while trespass is normally a civil matter in England, repeated or aggravated trespass can become criminal. Forestry England and the National Trust will pursue legal action for unauthorised drone use on their land.
• Endangering an aircraft — up to five years' imprisonment under the Air Navigation Order.

Staffordshire Police have experience with drone-related incidents. The Chase's popularity means witnesses are likely if you breach the rules.

Pre-Flight Checklist for Cannock Chase

1. Check airspace — verify MOD Stafford restrictions, RAF Shawbury activity, and any NOTAMs using the NATS UAS restriction map or an approved drone app.
2. Verify registration — Flyer ID (100g+) and Operator ID (250g+) must be current. Operator ID must be displayed on the drone.
3. Identify the landowner — determine whether your launch site is Forestry England, Staffordshire County Council, National Trust, or private land. Get written permission before you fly.
4. Check SSSI boundaries — use the MAGIC map (magic.defra.gov.uk). The central heathland is the most sensitive area.
5. Avoid breeding season — nightjar and woodlark nest from May to August. Do not fly over heathland during this period.
6. Time your visit — early mornings on weekdays outside school holidays give you the best chance of maintaining safe distances from other visitors.
7. Inspect your drone — battery, propellers, firmware, compass calibration.
8. Check weather — the Chase sits on an elevated plateau. Wind can be stronger than in surrounding lowland areas.