Well well, after I only just posted another thread earlier about new EASA regulations for UK UAV pilots (HERE), the CAA also released an interesting authorisation document today that gives pilots who are a members of one of the following four recognised associations in the UK some privileges / exemptions to some of the rules:-

1. The Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers Ltd. trading as the British Model Flying Association (BMFA).
   
2. The Aeromodellers Association (Scotland) Ltd. trading as the Scottish Aeromodellers Association (SAA).
   
3. The Large Model Aircraft Association Ltd. Trading as the Large Model Association (LMA).
   
4. FPV UK ltd. (FPV UK). 
   

That CAA authorisation document is named "UK Model Flying Associations UAS 7068 Article 16 Authorisation" and can be viewed at the link below:-

https://www.fpvuk.org/files/20201215-UKM...sation.pdf

The FPVUK have also released a news article (HERE) which summarises the exemptions:-

FPVUK Wrote:When the rules change on 31st December 2020 this authorisation will allow association members to enjoy privileges beyond the new rules.  Such as:

• Flying FPV without a competent observer for each drone – in a sterile area (such as a race location).
  
• Flying FPV with a competent observer.
  
• Flying your aircraft above 400ft (except multirotors).
  
• Flying in a park (a built up area is normally defined as ‘An area substantially used for industrial, recreational, commercial or residential purposes’ and is now allowed.  Under the authorisation flight is allowed in an area used for only ‘recreational purposes’ – such as a park).
  
• Flying to a distance of 30m from uninvolved people (15m on take off and landing) – this is a bubble around the person, unlike the open category which is a horizontal distance – ie overflight is allowed for association members.
  
• Flying sailplanes up to 400ft above the pilot – allowing for ridge soaring.
  

A couple of points I find interesting are the reduced distance from uninvolved people (15m / 30m instead of 50m) and also the fact that you are allowed to fly over them as long as you fly over then at a height of 30m (instead of not being allowed to fly over them at all).

However, one caveat to the above privileges / exemptions is that they only apply if you are registered with the CAA as a UAS operator and have your registration ID clearly displayed on the UAV. Also, flying FPV is still forbidden without a spotter unless it's an organised event which is fenced off from general access to the public. And of course flying BVLOS is also still forbidden, period.

EDIT: There is also another parallel thread on this same topic HERE.