Introduction
Any commercial filming or photography undertaken on land of property owned or managed by Somerset Council-owned requires a permit from us.
To request a permit please complete the Application to Film form, available on Screen Somerset.
Fees shown below do not include VAT.
Administration fee
We charge a fee for processing applications. This includes checking of relevant documentation (such as Public Liability Insurance), quality assuring Risk Assessments, checking there are no clashes with other events and preparing the permit.
Permit to film
| Crew size | More than 5 working days notice | Less than 5 working days notice |
|---|---|---|
| Crew size1 to 10 | More than 5 working days notice£50 | Less than 5 working days notice£75 |
| Crew sizeMore than 10 | More than 5 working days notice£75 | Less than 5 working days notice£100 |
Further fees may be charged depending on the nature of the of the request.
General views
The capturing of images of Somerset, its landmarks, buildings, streets, and outdoor spaces. This does not include news pieces, interviews, or drone filming.
Permit for general views
| Crew size | Half a day (up to five hours) | Full day (up to 8 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Crew sizeAny crew size | Half a day (up to five hours)£50 | Full day (up to 8 hours)£100 |
Drone filming
If you wish to take off or land a drone from Somerset Council land (including the highway or pavements) for commercial filming, you need to apply for filming permission. Drone filming does not require locational fees.
Please see the Drone filming page for details of required documentation.
| Crew size | Half a day (up to 5 hours) | Full day (up to 8 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Crew sizeAny crew size | Half a day (up to 5 hours)£100 | Full day (up to 8 hours)£150 |
Council land and property
Somerset Council charges fees for the use of its land and property, both interior and exterior, including roads for which the Council is responsible, for filming purposes and associated unit bases.
The following fees are for guidance, precise fees to be agreed depending on disruption and requirements of Council staff time. For more information please contact us.
| Crew size | Half day (up to 4 hours) | Full day |
|---|---|---|
| Crew sizeSmall (up to 10 people) | Half day (up to 4 hours)£250 | Full day£500 |
| Crew sizeMedium (11 to 40 people) | Half day (up to 4 hours)£350 | Full day£700 |
| Crew sizeLarge (over 40 people) | Half day (up to 4 hours)£500 | Full day£1000 |
Highways
You will need to complete the relevant application forms and get permission from the Council Highways team if your filming will have any impact on the highway including:
- road closures
- temporary traffic restrictions
- traffic management
- footway or pavement closures
Please review our Closing a road for an event page for more detail about timescales and costs, which can start at £645 for a temporary road closure. Alternatively please email our events team to discuss.
Parking
On and off-street parking spaces can be secure in support of filming. Fees are negotiated depending on requirements.
For a list and map of all the Council run, off-street car parks please visit our Car Parks directory.