Fears food delivery drone firm could lead to urban airspace 'monopoly'

Last month, Partas lodged plans for an aerial delivery hub at the Tallaght Enterprise Centre for Manna and a planning report lodged with the application state that the aerial delivery hub "would enable benefits such as faster deliveries, cost reduction and lessening of environmental impact”.

However, in a submission to the Council on behalf of Drone Professionals Ireland, Mr Whyte states that the airspace surrounding this planning application is already heavily restricted for drone operators due to its proximity to Casement Aerodrome.

Mr Whyte has told the Council that a further restriction on airspace in the area for a single commercial operator to deliver food “is unfairly punitive on all other drone operations and businesses”.

He states: “We strong oppose any further blanket monopolisation of urban airspace by a few private drone operators until there are robust and functional UTM systems in place to handle these sorts of operations”.

A planning report lodged with the application by Downey Chartered Planners states that the aerial delivery hub will be operated by Manna Drones Delivery, an established Irish drone delivery firm currently operating within a significant footprint of Dublin City and surrounds.

The Downey report states that Manna Drones Delivery has already secured planning permission from Fingal Co Council for an aerial delivery hub at Blanchardstown.

In recent days, Manna has stated that it will be able to reach around half a million people in the capital by the summer as it expands to two new areas and is aiming to have 10 bases serving a million customers in Dublin by the end of this year.

The planing statement says that the not for profit Partas has recently obtained planning permission for a food court which is due to open in February next year at this location.

The statement adds that “Drone delivery holds the promise of revolutionising logistics by offering faster, more efficient, and sustainable delivery solutions in the years to come and so our client is seeking to enhance their food court by proposing to provide this service in collaboration with Manna Drones Delivery.”

The Downey statement further contends that “in an age where environmental consciousness is paramount, drone operations present a sustainable alternative to traditional delivery methods. Indeed, electric drones offer a greener and more efficient choice than normal delivery methods, while ensuring delivery in a timely manner without burdening transport networks”.

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”.

It further states that “the subject proposal, it is stressed, represents an appropriately informed and correct approach to the much-needed service at this centre on a currently underutilised area of the enterprise centre’s lands”.

Downey also states that “the proposed approach in utilising a new ‘emerging technology’ is anticipated to yield savings by improving efficiency and reducing the reliance on expensive last-minute logistics to move products between locations within the South Dublin County area when needed”.

A decision is due later this month.