Police bid to place key drone monitoring equipment at county site
Plans have been submitted for the installation of radar equipment at Hampshire police’s training centre in a bid to monitor drones across the county.
The application, submitted by Hampshire police to Eastleigh Borough Council, proposes replacing the 18-metre telecommunications mast at the Vickery Building in Netley.
The new system will feature a single rotating radar unit mounted on the existing mast and will be connected via two cables to an adjacent equipment cabinet. The redundant mast will have its transmission dish support removed to accommodate the new installation.
According to the planning statement, the radar forms part of a Department of Transportation trial. Its location is considered ideal for monitoring airspace between Portsmouth, Southampton, and the Isle of Wight. Using the existing structure also helps reduce operational costs.
Hampshire police said: “The proposed radar equipment, which is essential to Hampshire police operations, can be classed as an essential public utility.”
The development comes as the UK introduces new drone regulations. Since January 1, anyone intending to fly drones or model aircraft weighing 100g or more outdoors must complete a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) online theory test to obtain a Flyer ID – a requirement previously only applied to heavier drones.
The CAA says the new rules are designed to be easier to understand and allow for the “safe expansion” of drone use across the UK. Requirements also apply to children, with age-specific rules.