Amazon claims drones will be quieter than its delivery vans
The company has told local authorities in Darlington, County Durham, where it is planning to trial deliveries, that noise from its drones 'is likely to be marginally less or similar to that experienced during a residential delivery via van'.
Amazon has faced complaints from some locals about potential disruption from the deliveries, which could start before Christmas.
Planning documents said that noise from Amazon's drones are expected to be no more than 72 decibels – roughly the sound of a washing machine or shower.
'The duration of the drone delivery is very short (30 seconds), compared to the van delivery (two minutes) and similarly events from a van delivery such as van door banging brake, manoeuvring and knocking on doors, are likely to be more potentially disturbing events than the drone delivery,' consulting firm Tetra Tech said in Amazon's submission.
Amazon is pledging two-hour drone deliveries from its hub in Darlington in what is expected to be Britain's first drone delivery services.
The aircraft will take off from a special area of its local warehouse, fly at a height of between 55 and 85 metres before dropping a package into residents' gardens at a height of four metres.
It plans to have four drones operational, with the fleet capable of carrying out 21 flights an hour.
The service will only deliver on weekdays between 9am and 5pm, and during 'good weather', according to application documents.
A group of residents who live near Amazon's warehouse have written to oppose the application on noise grounds.
'Despite claims ... that drone-related noise is within acceptable levels, the very novelty and inconsistency of drone noise – with sharp, tonal, and high-pitched overflights – will drastically change the character of this area,' they said.
'Unlike road traffic or industrial hum, drones emit non-continuous, unpredictable noise, often perceived as more intrusive and stressful.'
Amazon first tested drones in the UK before moving its trials to the US. The company is one of several working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on trials of autonomous drones.
A spokesman said: 'We'll continue to work closely with the CAA as they develop the regulatory framework to make commercial drone delivery a reality in the UK.
'In the meantime, we will also engage with the Darlington community to answer questions and collect feedback as we seek to offer this new delivery option.'
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