Cork City Council to consult aviation authority about drone use

Cork City Council has no policies in its city development plan regarding drones, but is seeking information from the Irish Aviation Authority on the matter, amid concerns about a recently introduced drone food delivery service.

Fianna Fáil’s Terry Shannon asked the council to report on the drone service operating from the vicinity of the Marina Market and if it had engaged with the company.

Niall Ó Donnabháin, the council’s director of planning and integrated development, said they were aware of this drone delivery operation, and are “currently exploring the wide range of issues associated with a project of this kind”.

He said they note the Government’s recently published national policy framework for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which sets a 10-year strategy to manage drone growth, focusing on the use of airspace and planning, compliance and enforcement, and enterprise and innovation.

“One of the actions in the national policy framework for UAS seeks the Irish Aviation Authority to support the training and capacity building of local authorities and planners on the use of airspace and planning.

“Any changes to policies or regulations in relation to UAS that may be required in future will be considered by Cork City Council in consultation with the IAA.

“Drone infrastructure such as drone bases or drone delivery hubs may require planning permission, while the flying of drones is regulated by the IAA. In relation to drone infrastructure, there is currently no specific guidance for drone hubs in current planning legislation.”

Evolving technology

Mr Ó Donnabháin explained that, as drones are a new and evolving technology, “the Cork City development Plan does not have any specific land-use policies regarding the use of drones. However, existing planning legislation and development plan policy (eg zoning, etc) applies to drone infrastructure and at present this is being considered in the context of the referenced drone delivery operation.”

Mr Ó Donnabháin said it was his understanding that the IAA is due to meet the council’s roads and transport strategic policy committee shortly when relevant issues and questions in respect of this matter can be tabled for discussion.

“The planning department will also reach out separately to the IAA to determine how they propose to regulate and manage this activity going forward, clarifying the role of the local authority in the process,” he added.