The City of Westminster is a world class location for events and filming. We aim to balance the demand on Westminster as an iconic location for events and filming alongside our commitment to residents, businesses, and visitors to ensure these activities continue to be safe, lawful, successful, and fair.
If you have chosen a location in Westminster for your filming or event, you will need to apply for permission.
Before you apply, read the below guides and information on this page to understand the complexities involved. Our application fee is non-refundable.
Event guidelines (PDF, 1.1MB)
Filming guidelines (PDF, 1.1MB)
Please read our COVID-19 events and filiming guidance carefully before you apply.
1. Check timescale
Use our tool to check whether there is enough time to process the application for your required date.
| Activity | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Basic Filming Application (cast and crew 7 and under) |
3 working days |
| Standard Filming Application (cast and crew 7+) |
5 working days (1 week) |
| Basic Event Application | 10 working days (2 weeks) |
| Application requiring Parking Suspensions or Yellow Line Dispensations | 10 working days (2 weeks) |
| Temporary Structure Licence | 15 working days (3 weeks) |
| Filming requiring Traffic Management (e.g. temporary traffic holds) |
15 working days (3 weeks) |
| Filming requiring Crane Licences (cherry pickers, genie booms, cranes, aerial platform etc.) |
15 working days (3 weeks) |
| Complex Filming (no road closure) (street furniture removal, street lighting control, stunts, special effects, drones etc.) |
20 working days (4 weeks) |
| Out of Hours Filming requiring Consultation (22:30 - 07:00) |
20 working days (4 weeks) |
| Events requiring Licensing (Temporary Event Notice, Street Trading or Premises Licence) |
20-40 working days (4-8 weeks) |
| Film Premieres | 30 working days (6 weeks) |
| Road or Full Pavement Closure | 60 working days (12 weeks) |
| Events requiring Planning Permission (several day installations, advertising consent etc.) |
60 working days (12 weeks) |
| Major Filming requiring Multiple Road Closures | 6 months |
| Annual Events | 11-12 months |
| Major Events requiring Multiple Road Closures (new proposal or one off) |
18 months |
2. Check fee
Check which fee will be applied to your activity.
Updated and valid from 1 September 2020 onwards.
3. Apply
Applications for events and filming are open.
Please make sure you have read our COVID-19 events and filiming guidance carefully before you apply.
The following documents should be included at the time of application where possible. Applications received without this documentation will require extended planning time from the published timescales.
- You must submit a risk assessment and method statement including a full assessment of COVID-19 specific risks.
- A plan of your filming area showing that the required distances are possible.
- An image of the proposed filming area taken from your site visit.
- A signage plan.
- Contact details including name, role and mobile phone number for a COVID-19 responsible person and a designated on-site contact.
Apply to film or hold an event
If you need to add more than 5 parking requests, please speak to your assigned officer after they have contacted you.
4. What happens next?
Once your event application is submitted, our team will assess any potential impact on the community, our businesses and residents. We also look at health and safety and licensing implications.
If we believe your proposed activity meets our policy requirements, you will receive a payment request and will be issued with a reference number.
Once payment has been made, you will be assigned an officer who will assess your application and advise of any requirements or conditions.
Finally, if we are content with the proposed activity and documentation provided, your assigned officer will issue you a ‘letter of no objection’ outlining any conditions related to the activity. This is not a contract with the council but an expression of permission for activities discussed.
5. Pay
Use the payment tool below to:
- pay your application fee
- pay for your event/filming administration time (as advised by your assigned Officer)
- location hire fees (as advised by your assigned Officer)
Please have your reference number to hand, which will be on email correspondence you have received from us.
To make sure we charge you correctly, please double check our fees.
6. Apply for consultation (optional)
If you wish to discuss your activity before submitting an application you can request a consultation with an Officer. This costs £160 per hour.
7. Additional costs
Depending on your proposed activities, you may need to apply for additional licenses or permissions, such as:
- parking bay suspension or yellow line dispensation
- Temporary Traffic Orders
- Temporary Event Notice or premises license
- temporary street trading license
- building control temporary structures licence (s30)
- highways license for a temporary structure, hoarding, crane or cherry picker operation
- planning permission or advert consent
- cleansing
The officer assigned to your application will inform you of what will be required, potential costs and how to apply.
8. Useful information
London organisations
London Borough Film Offices
9. Contact us
For any questions not covered by our guide, please contact us at eventsandfilming@westminster.gov.uk or call 020 7641 2390.