Filming Outside of Social Hours in Residential and Commercial Areas

Requesting approval for filming outside of Social Hours

To comply with the Control of Pollution Act 1974, where a Production Company identifies a need to work outside of normal hours, they should liaise as soon as possible with our events team. The team will in turn liaise with our Environmental Protection Unit to discuss the request.

Before approval can be given, the following information must be provided via a method statement -

• name of location
• explanation for out of hours working
• duration
• location of noise sensitive premises affected
• details of proposed consultation with occupiers of noise sensitive premises
• working methods
• mitigation measures to minimise noise

Noise pollution

The guidance notes below are taken from those prepared by the Public Protection Division. They are to assist contractors and developers in understanding the restrictions which apply to construction work to protect residents and businesses from high noise levels. They act as a good guidance for production companies wishing to film at night.

Production companies should ensure that the best practicable means are employed to minimise noise. British Standard 5228, Part1, 1997 is approved as a code of practice for basic information and procedures for noise and vibration control.

Noise limits which should not be exceeded outside noise sensitive premises are as follows. They have been adapted from Department of the Environment Advisory Leaflet AL72 and the World Health Organisation’s ‘Guidelines for Community Noise’ -