Warning letter sent to drone company

The hub, which is being operated by Manna Air Delivery, has been active since February this year.

The council said it issued a warning letter to Manna on 17 April, “pursuant to Sec 152 of the Planning and Development Act 2000”.

“The matter of immediate concern to the planning authority is the purported use or development of part of the site as a drone/aerial delivery hub, land use issues, and the erection of cabin and boundary fencing,” said a council spokesperson.

They said Manna are entitled to make submissions in writing “no later than 4 weeks from the date of the letter”.

The spokesperson said the planning authority will then decide whether to proceed with enforcement action.

In March, the Cork Independent reported that Manna had established its hub at the Marina Market without seeking planning permission.

At the time, the council said it was aware of the development but had not developed any specific land-use policies in relation to drones.

A spokesperson for Manna said that the company “will respond shortly to Cork City Council and will continue engaging with officials, as we have done since before commencing operations”.

Representatives of Manna met with members of Cork City Council on at least two occasions this year according to documents released following a Freedom of Information request.

A meeting was held between Council Chief Executive Valerie O’Sullivan and Director of Services for Planning and Integrated Development Niall Ó Donnabháin with Manna on 25 February in City Hall.

O’Sullivan and Ó Donnabháin then visited the site of Manna’s operations at the Marina Market on 7 March.

The base in Cork has been the subject of complaints from members of the public since it began operation.

Last month, the Cork Independent reported on a survey run by local councillor Peter Horgan, which found that 89% of 395 Cork South-East Ward residents surveyed opposed Manna’s operations. If the council proceeds with enforcement, it will not be the first council in Ireland to take such an action against Manna. Last year, Fingal County Council in Dublin closed two of the company’s bases - one at Clonsilla, and another beside Junction 6 of the M50.

A third base in the Fingal area, at Coolmines, has had its application for retention stalled by the Fingal council as it requests more information from Manna.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán