Cork City development plan has no policies on drones, council admits

It comes amid concern about a recently opened drone food delivery service operating from the vicinity of the Marina Market

The council’s director of planning and integrated development, said drone 'infrastructure' such as drone bases or drone delivery hubs may require planning permission. Picture: Larry Cummins

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

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

Niall O’Donnabhain, the council’s director of planning and integrated development, said it is aware of this drone delivery operation, and is “currently exploring the wide range of issues associated with a project of this kind”.

He said the council notes the government’s recently published Ireland's National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)(drones), 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 (IAA) 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."

He said 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.” 

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He said similarly, 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 (e.g. zoning, etc) applies to drone infrastructure and at present this is being considered in the context of the referenced drone delivery operation.” 

Mr O’Donnabhain said the IAA is due to meet with the council’s roads and transport strategic policy committee on this issue shortly where relevant issues and questions can be tabled for discussion.

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