To further muddy the waters, back to the weather minima; according to the ANO schedule 8, sub-section 2 (priviledges of a PPL (aeroplanes):-
A pilot shall not ......
para (c)
unless his licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane) or an instrument meteorological rating (aeroplanes), fly as pilot in command of such an aeroplane:
(ii) on a special VFR flight in a control zone in a flight visibility of less than 10 km except on a route or in an aerodrome traffic zone notified for the purpose of this sub-paragraph.
This also applies to a holder of a BCPL (aeroplanes).
So a basic PPl holder (no IMC rating,etc) can fly VFR in a class D CTZ with 5km visibility, but is unable to accept a special VFR clearance!
