Helpful Information

Filming Guidelines

Filming Outside of Social Hours in Residential & Commercial Areas 

Bolton Film Office considers any filming activities taking place between 22:00 and 08:00 as ‘unsocial hours’, or ‘night filming’. 

As soon as you are aware that you need to shoot at night at your chosen public location, an application must be submitted to Bolton Film Office detailing the request, including all scenes, action and equipment to be used. This will be reviewed and subject to resident consultation and agreement.  Please allow adequate time for this.  

Production should do a letter drop to residents of the area detailing the requested filming, with a copy sent to Bolton Film office for internal circulation, which should include production contact details for residents to contact to obtain more information. 

Consideration must be taken to residents of the area, including lighting and noise control. Where it is unavoidable to use generators, they should be silenced.  Radio communications should be via earpiece.  Avoid light spill, and temporary structures and mobile platforms should not intrude into anyone’s property. 

Crew should be respectful of the local community, and any unnecessary crew and production amenities should be sited away from residential properties.  

Upon wrap, all equipment should be packed away as quietly as possible, and depending on the time, technical vehicles may be asked to remain on site until the morning.  

Good practice is to then do a further letter drop to residents with words of appreciation, thanking them for their patience and continued support. 

If you are seeking to close a road, you will need to apply for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO); please allow 12 weeks lead time. Site visits with Bolton Film Office must take place before any TTRO is applied for. We will always aim to work with productions to find the best solution. 

Pay and display parking may be suspended for such things as loading and unloading throughout the day.  You must apply for a suspension at least two working days before the required date.  

Please contact Bolton Film Office for further information.

Should you require to use an unmanned aircraft (also known as a drone) for the purposes of filming on Bolton Council land then you must engage with Bolton Film Office.  Advanced planning and liaison must take place with the CAA, Bolton Council and any other stakeholders.  

For more information, please read the Filming in England guidelines (opens as PDF) or refer to the CAA website for more information.

All documentation to be submitted no later than 7 working days before the filming day.  

Bolton Council understand the role we play in promoting and encouraging environmental sustainability, including the reduction of carbon emissions from incoming Film and TV productions. Our efforts aim to create a positive environmental and social impact on our community and the region we serve.  

We recognise our collective responsibility – both as an organisation and as individuals – to continuously lower emissions and work towards delivering a positive legacy for our environment and local communities. By supporting the film and TV sector in adopting sustainable practices, we aim to ensure that Bolton remains a thriving, environmentally responsible destination for productions.  

Bolton Council is committed to working collaboratively with Filming in England and other stakeholders to promote sustainable solutions to support productions on reducing their carbon footprint.  

Commitments: We encourage productions filming in Bolton to adopt sustainable best practices and to take steps to minimise their environmental impact. These include, but are not limited to:  

Sustainable Production Policies: We ask productions to share their green policies. If none exist, we will signpost to relevant organisations that can help develop one.  

Sustainable Travel: Encourage cast, crew, and suppliers to opt for sustainable travel options wherever possible. Incentivising carpooling, use of public transport, and other eco-friendly travel choices.  

Waste Reduction: Implement the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle across all departments. Eliminate single-use plastics and work with local waste disposal services to ensure responsible waste management.  

Reduce Paper Use: Adopt a digital-first approach, printing only when absolutely necessary.  

Recycled/Pre-used Materials: Prioritise purchasing pre-used costumes, props, and appliances to reduce demand of new resources.  

Raising Awareness: Use ‘Green Memos’ to keep crew informed about sustainability practices. Where relevant, engage crew in sustainability training.  

Energy Efficiency: Commit to using low-energy equipment, renewable power sources, and green fuel options on set.  

Local Crew: Use the Filming in England National Crew Directory to source local crew to minimise the carbon impact of travel.  

Sustainable Suppliers: Use the Filming in England National Supplier Directory to source local suppliers with sustainability credentials.  

Sustainable Accommodation: Where possible, opt for local accommodation close to base, and consider hiring available spaces instead of using trailers.   

Community Recycling: Partner with local charities and community organisations to recycle materials from the production, including donating leftover catering to food banks and local shelters 

If you are planning to include child performers in your production, you may be required to apply for a Child Employment Licence. 

Best practice is to employ a registered chaperone to ensure the safety, comfort, and welfare of the child is taken care of.  

Please speak to Bolton Film Office if you have any queries about employing children in your production. 

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.