Bobby Healy with a Manna drone. Photo: Mark Condren
Fingal County Council has stalled plans by drone delivery firm Manna Drones to retain its delivery hub at Coolmine Industrial Estate in Dublin 15 due to noise concerns.
This follows the council seeking a raft of further information on the proposal, including a comprehensive noise impact assessment from the applicants concerning the noise impact from the aerial hub.
More than 90 submissions – with the vast bulk opposed to the retention application – have been lodged with Fingal County Council.
The council asked Manna to detail all their noise mitigation measures
In the request for further information, the council has asked the applicants to address the concerns raised by third parties, specifically the concerns related to noise.
The council states that the Noise Impact Assessment must thoroughly assess all noise impacts including take-off and landing of drones, drone idling and noise from any ancillary facilities at the hub.
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The council has also asked the applicants to detail all mitigation measures to manage noise generated at the hub.
These include noise barriers or accosting fencing; use of best available low-noise drone models on the market; optimised take-off/landing procedures to minimise noise; and operational restrictions such as limiting simultaneous drone movements.
The council states that the noise impact assessment must also capture the noise impact at properties receiving deliveries.
The council also requested the applicants to mitigate noise impact at delivery points including adjusting heights where feasible and safe; protocols that minimise hovering or prolonged presence over properties; the use of quieter drone delivery mechanisms and use of quieter drone models.
The council asked the firm to provide a transport statement which provides a commentary on the volume of ground traffic and trips anticipated to serve the area delivery hub.
One of those to object to the retention application is Dublin 15 resident Nadine Riordan who has told the council that “the presence of a flying machine looking into your garden and your private residence like a menacing bird of prey is not acceptable”.
On its planning application for Coolmine, a spokesman for Manna Drones has stated previously: “Our operations reduce traffic and remove substantial carbon emissions from each suburb we serve, which ultimately means more jobs, safer roads and cleaner air.”
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