A pilot drone project to map the fast-growing Milton Keynes area is set to be put in place by the council.

According to a report by the MKCitizen, the project has already mapped MK’s crematorium and new development Fairfields and Whitehouse.

It reported on how council officers dealing with planning, landscaping, street naming and numbering, and emergency planning, have already given the thumbs up.

Adding: “In the eventuality of this happening, we are confident in our ability to evidence the safe flying of the UAV. All flights will be subject to a rigorous risk assessment prior to approval.”

The report, sponsored by Sarah Gonsalves, the council’s director of policy, insight and communications, says 29,000 new homes are planned in the city up to 2031.

It went on: “With rapid growth taking place, it is inevitable that base mapping fails to keep pace with development on the ground.”

A delegated decision due to be made by Cllr Rob Middleton, the council’s elected head of resources and innovation, also includes the use of drones at isolated emergency incidents and when the council requires creative material for specific projects.

The report continues: “It is the intention to build a portfolio of images to plug the gap in our current aerial records and gather geospatial data in order to provide much needed intelligence for how development areas are emerging. Information gathered will help to inform service delivery, especially in growth areas on the east and west flanks of the city and emerging south east.”