Council stalls plans for new Tallaght Manna Drone aerial delivery hub over noise concerns

Gordon Deegan

South Dublin County Council has stalled plans for a new aerial delivery hub for Tallaght to be operated by Manna Drone Delivery after a Council report stated that such a service has the potential to significantly increase noise levels.

In a letter to applicants for the aerial food delivery hub for the Tallaght Enterprise Centre, the Council has told the not-for-profit Partas that it requires a comprehensive Noise Impact Assessment to evaluate the potential effects of the proposal.

Manna Drone Delivery is to operate the aerial food delivery hub, with the hub part of Manna Drone Delivery Service’s ambitions to make one million deliveries this year.

In response to the Tallaght application, an objection signed by 30 residents living within 500 metres of the hub claimed that “the proposed development is likely to negatively impact the value of nearby homes”.

The objection further stated that “the increased air traffic and loud hovering drone activity will create a disturbance for residents, reducing quality of life and peaceful enjoyment of their homes, especially over gardens and other private relaxing areas”.

The objection - signed off by Alison Kenealy and 29 others - contended that the introduction of a business which introduced additional noise and air traffic could deter prospective house buyers, affecting the long-term desirability of the area.

Now, putting the scheme on hold, a Council planning report states that “the introduction of a drone delivery service has the potential to significantly increase noise levels experienced on-site and its surrounds”.

The report states that "the concept of drone delivery services is still very much in its infancy stage from a planning perspective, meaning that little is known about the longer-term impacts of this type of operation at this stage".

It adds: “It is essential that any planning permission granted for this development safeguards the existing residential amenity of these adjoining properties.”

The report adds: “Given the limited information submitted in relation to the operations of the drone service, the Planning Authority considers it appropriate to request a comprehensive Noise Impact Assessment to evaluate the potential effects of the proposal.”

In the further information request, the Council stated that the Noise Impact Assessment should include any necessary mitigation measures to manage noise generated.

The Council additionally states a detailed description of the drone service's operational parameters, including proposed operational hours and the frequency of drone movements, must be provided to assess the suitability of the proposed use within the subject zoning designation.

A spokesman for Manna Drone Delivery said on Friday: “Drone delivery offers a safer and more environmentally-friendly alternative to road based delivery, as well as wider benefits to suburban life. We look forward to flying in Tallaght in the medium term, pending required approvals and will be sharing more plans with all stakeholders as plans develop.”

The company spokesman said previously that "Manna Drone Delivery has delivered to more than 150,000 households in Dublin, so far we have received 53 complaints from residents all of which we answer and respond to."

He said that “we've had one complaint in December and two complaints in January”.

He said, "We are fully regulated by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Irish Aviation Authority. We also engage with local authorities and public representatives extensively in any area we have operations in, this includes community engagement in school STEM activities and Sports Clubs.”

He added: “We will similarly be doing so in Tallaght as we want to be positive members of the community."

The spokesman said that “Safety is paramount in what we do, with successful independent audits completed every year of our operation. Our aircraft feature multiple safety systems, tested at international standards, ensuring safe landing even in the most unlikely scenarios."

A planning report lodged with the application states that that the aerial delivery hub "would enable benefits such as faster deliveries, cost reduction and lessening of environmental impact”.

The 12-page planning statement adds that “the development has been scaled in a manner whereby any existing amenities of the area are not adversely affected in any way, nor any degradation of privacy arising from this subject development”.