Plans by drone delivery firm, Manna Drones to retain a drone delivery hub for Coolmine Industrial Estate in Dublin 15 are facing local opposition.
Over 90 submissions - with the vast bulk opposed to the retention application - have been lodged with Fingal County Council.
In one objection by D15 resident, Dr James Higgins, he states that "the assertion by Manna Drones that drones are "quieter than cars" is misleading as cars do not routinely pass over people's roofs at all hours".
Dr Higgins of Cherry Drive, D15 has told the council that "since its operation began, residents in the Dublin 15 area, including myself, have experienced persistent and intrusive noise from drones frequently flying over our homes".
He said that "the distinctive, high-frequency buzzing of these devices is far more disruptive than claimed, particularly in closed estates and cul-de-sacs where there is ordinarily minimal vehicular noise.
Urging the council to refuse planning permission, Dr Higgins says "we must ask ourselves if we truly want our skies to become as congested and noisy as our roads merely for the convenience of coffee and fast-food deliveries".
In a separate objection, Dr Aidan Cahill of St Brigid's Park, Blanchardstown has stated that "these drones have changed the character of our property and that of tens of thousands of other properties from a quiet, peaceful suburban garden where we can relax and restore ourselves after work or study, to a place of industry where we may be at any time suddenly disturbed by startling machines which render conversation impossible and train cameras upon us, creating stress and fear".
The Delwood housing estate in D15 has 260 houses where a survey by the Delwood Residents Association of the residents resulted in a large majority voting against any expansion of drones operating in D15.
The objection by the Delwood Residents Association states that the Coolmine Industrial Estate Drone Delivery Hub was set up and operated without planning permission.
Ruth Coppinger TD (People Before Profit-Solidarity) and party colleagues, Cllr John Burtchaell and Cllr Helen Redwood have lodged a joint objection stating that "the frequency of flights is already causing significant distress within the community…Our skies will become filled with drones instead of bird life".
A small number of local residents have outlined that they are in favour of the planned retention of the delivery hub.
One of those is Peter Maxwell of Portersgate Drive, D15 who states that "any service that helps to reduce the traffic load is of benefit to the area and community in general. The volume of these drones is no higher than most regular traffic and is of minimal disturbance and is quieter than the volume of some delivery driver’s cars".
Fingal Co Council recently refused planning retention for a separate Manna delivery hub for Junction 6 Castleknock, River Road, Blanchardstown, Castleknock, Dublin 15
A spokesman for Manna Drones said today: "Since the Junction 6 decision, local representatives have received over 1,000 supportive emails from households that use Manna in Dublin 15 on a regular basis. Since February 2024, we’ve completed 52,000 deliveries in the area and now support around 40 mostly independent local retailers. We directly employ 50 people who live in Dublin 15."
He said: "Our operations reduce traffic and remove substantial carbon emissions from each suburb we serve, which ultimately means more jobs, safer roads and cleaner air.
He added: "We are aware of a small politically motivated group circulating misleading claims about the service and trying to obstruct it. We remain committed to serving our large and growing customer base in Dublin 15 which includes young families, elderly and housebound with books, clothing, gadgets, groceries and meals."
A decision is due later this month.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
