Filming in Cheshire East: permits and fees
Cheshire East Council manages filming permits on county highways and land, including direct management of Tatton Park as a separate events attraction.
Who issues permits
Cheshire East Council covers filming on council highways and council-managed land. A notable exception to the usual pattern: Tatton Park is a council-owned estate that functions as a managed visitor attraction with its own filming team — contact it separately. Arley Hall is a private estate near Great Budworth and handles commercial filming enquiries independently.
Process
Contact Cheshire East Council’s licensing team for highway and public space filming. Allow four weeks. For Tatton Park, contact the Tatton Park events and management team directly. Nantwich is an exceptionally well-preserved market town — advance coordination with the council ensures minimal disruption to market traders.
Fees
Council highway and public land fees on application. Tatton Park fees are set by the council’s parks management team.
What’s covered
Council highways across Cheshire East. Council parks and recreation grounds. Tatton Park via separate council-managed booking. Civic buildings in Macclesfield and Crewe.
Tatton Park
Tatton Park is council-owned and covers formal gardens, a deer park, a mansion, and a working farm — a versatile filming location for period and contemporary productions. Contact the Tatton Park visitor operations team for filming enquiries.
Contact
- Email: info@cheshireeast.gov.uk
- Web: cheshireeast.gov.uk
Apply via Cheshire East Council → cheshireeast.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Cheshire East Council issues filming permits for its area. Applications go through the council's filming / events team — not the local parks department or police, although those may also be consulted.
- How long is the lead time?
- Allow at least 28 working days. Complex applications involving road closures, drone use, or multiple locations need more — plan 2–4 weeks ahead where possible.
- What's the typical cost?
- Cheshire East Council quotes filming fees case-by-case based on scale, duration, and public-realm impact. Small documentary crews are often charged an admin fee only; feature-film shoots involving road closures cost meaningfully more.
- What does this permit cover?
- The permit typically covers streets, parks, civic buildings. Private property and other national-body land (e.g. Crown Estate, National Trust, Royal Parks) may need separate consent.
- How do I apply?
- Apply via Cheshire East Council's filming page at https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.