Manna refused permission to continue drone deliveries from Dublin 15 base

Fingal County Council refused permission for Manna to continue operating a drone delivery hub at Coolmine Industrial Estate in Dublin 15. The application sought retention permission to run deliveries from 9am to 9pm, seven days a week, serving customers within a 3km radius. The council requested additional information, including a comprehensive Noise Impact Assessment. The refusal stated the assessment did not provide sufficient evidence to robustly determine that adverse noise effects could be avoided. The council concluded the operation would result in serious noise pollution and warned that approval would set an inappropriate precedent, contrary to proper planning and sustainable development, and prejudicial to public health. A separate retention application for a base at Junction 6 in Blanchardstown was also refused for insufficient noise details.

"Fingal County Council refused the application, stating that the noise impact assessment "does not provide sufficient evidence to robustly determine that adverse noise effects associated with the aerial delivery hub can be avoided". It added that, in the absence of sufficient evidence, the operation "results in serious noise pollution". The council also warned that approving the retention permission "will set an inappropriate precedent for other similar forms of development", adding that it would be "contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area" and "prejudicial to public health"."

"The company, which mainly delivers fast food and groceries to householders, had applied for retention permission to keep operating its aerial delivery hub at Coolmine Industrial Estate, with plans to "continue the operation of its aerial delivery hub maintaining hours of 9am to 9pm, seven days a week", serving customers within a 3km radius. In November last year, the council requested further information from Manna as part of the application lodged in September, including "a comprehensive Noise Impact Assessment"."

"Separately, last October, retention permission for a base at Blanchardstown's Junction 6 in Dublin was also refused. In that refusal, Fingal County Council also said that "insufficient details" on potential noise pollution were submitted by Manna. Meanwhile the planning permission for the company's other base in Dublin 15, at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, was granted in August 2023 for three years, and is due to expire three months from now."

"Over 70 submissions - with the vast majority opposed to the retention application - were lodged with Fingal County Council for the Coolmine Industrial Estate location. Noise concerns were also"

Read at Irish Independent