Universal Is Trying to Ban Drones from Snooping Around Its Newest Theme Park Currently in Development

Colson ThayerFri, March 13, 2026 at 6:04 PM UTC

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Credit: Universal/Comcast -

Universal issued a cease and desist notice to stop "unauthorized drone activity" over its theme park construction site in England

A local drone operator who has been impacted by the demand claims U.K. airspace is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority, not private companies

The operator plans to adjust his behavior by avoiding footage of identifiable workers and filming outside construction hours

A new Universal theme park currently in development is attempting to limit drone operators from flying over the site.

On Tuesday, March 10, Universal Destination & Experiences issued a cease and desist notice regarding “unauthorized drone activity” at its 662-acre site south of Bedford, England. The notice, posted online and placed around the site, tells drone owners to cease operating equipment over construction, sharing footage from the site, and to remove content already posted online.

“We appreciate the tremendous excitement for our project. However, as our site activity and preparation works increase, we have an important responsibility to consider and protect the safety and welfare of those working on-site,” the company writes on its website.

Universal’s notice warns the public that failure to comply could result in breaches including two criminal offenses that could be invoked through drone operation — reckless or negligent operation that endangers people or property and the unlawful capturing of footage in which individuals are identifiable — and three potential civil offenses — trespassing from low-level drone flights, misuse of private information of individuals on the site and harassment.

Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty

However, a local drone operator claims to PEOPLE that’s not how regulation works in the country.

“In the U.K., the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) controls the skies. So they say where you can and can’t fly,” Andy, a local who asked not to be identified with a last name, says. “Most places would be like airfields… but nothing like a theme park.”

According to the CAA's Drone and Model Aircraft Code, small unmanned aircrafts are allowed to fly in residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas. The guidelines specifically include "theme parks" in its recreations areas.

The BBC notes the site is not within a Flight Restriction Zone.

According to the CAA's Drone and Model Aircraft Code, small unmanned aircrafts are allowed to fly in residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas. The guidelines specifically include "theme parks" in its recreational areas. The BBC also notes the construction site sits outside of the country's Flight Restriction Zones.

Andy runs an online social media account called Project Universal, which describes itself as “an unofficial fan hub for the upcoming Universal United Kingdom Resort.” The account shares news, updates, rumors and drone imagery captured by Andy related to the park’s progress.

Andy tells PEOPLE he is not a theme park fan, instead he’s a local who felt the need to document the progress made on the massive project. With a love of drone operation and a background in construction, Andy first started the page a couple years ago when rumors about the park’s development began.

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Although he has a large following, he says he doesn’t believe the notice was “aimed at me.”

“I follow the letter of the law, but there’s a lot of other people, because it’s such a big project,” he says. “There’s a lot of other people doing the same sort of thing and not everyone follows the rules and I’ve seen photographs of just not very responsible flying.”

Globe at Universal Studios OrlandoCredit: Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty

Andy admits “they have a few points that I will change my behavior" including not capturing any footage that shows identifiable people in it. “I don’t want to get their backs up, I don’t want to become a nuisance and a pest. I want to do this respectfully and responsibly,” he says. “I’ll change the way I behave for sure.”

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As for attending the park’s planned opening in 2031, Andy says he’s not too concerned about missing it. “You know what, they might not even let me in by then. If I got banned, I wouldn’t lose any sleep,” he says. “I can’t tolerate standing in queues, if I’m honest.”

PEOPLE has reached out to Universal for further comment.

Universal first announced the new park, its first in the U.K., nearly a year ago in April 2025. The news came after the company confirmed the purchase of land in the English town of Bedford in December 2023 and spent over a year exploring how they might develop a new resort at the location, which is around 60 miles north of London.

There are currently Universal parks in Florida and California, as well as Japan, China and Singapore.

Plans for the U.K. location include a "world-class theme park with several themed lands" featuring "immersive storytelling, thrilling rides, innovative attractions and exciting entertainment," according to a news release. There will also be a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex at the site.

Credit: Columbia Pictures (2)

While Universal has not confirmed what lands it's developing or what franchises might be featured in the park, according to the BBC, guests can reportedly look forwarding to seeing Paddington Bear, James Bond, and Lord of the Rings, incldued in the park

The outlet also reported at the time that Harry Potter-themed experiences “are not expected” to be featured at the new location as the official Harry Potter studio tour is located just 30 miles away in Leeds.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”