Council Demands Major Clarifications on Dundrum Drone Hub – Community Concerns Vindicated

Cllr Robert Jones, Green Party representative for Dundrum, has welcomed Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s decision to request substantial further information from Manna Drones Ltd. regarding its proposed drone delivery hub at the rear of Main Street, Dundrum.

The planning application — which seeks a five-year permission for a drone operations base next to homes and the Holy Cross Church — is now paused pending extensive clarifications.

In a strong response, planners have insisted that Manna must directly address concerns raised by residents, particularly around noise. The company is required to review all third-party submissions and provide specific mitigation measures for issues raised — a move that represents a significant vindication of the community's concerns.

“The Council is making it clear that the community must be heard, and that vague or generic responses won’t cut it,” said Cllr Jones.

Separately, the Council’s Biodiversity Officer found the application to be ecologically inadequate. The officer’s report states that biodiversity has been entirely overlooked and that crucial information is missing — including flight paths, drone volumes, and ecological impact assessments.

“These are not minor technical gaps,” said Cllr Jones. “The application fundamentally fails to address how this drone operation could affect residents, wildlife and sensitive habitats”

Cllr Jones has called on Manna Drones CEO Bobby Healy to seize this moment to engage properly with the community:

“The ball is in Mr Healy’s court. If Manna wants to be part of this community, they must come and talk to people on the ground — not just fly over them.”