Filming in Swale: permits and fees
Swale Borough Council handles filming permits for council land across the borough, covering Faversham, Sittingbourne, the Isle of Sheppey, and the North Kent Marshes — a growing area for coastal and period filming.
Who issues permits
Swale Borough Council’s communications team coordinates filming on council-managed land, public open spaces, and highways within the borough. Kent Film Office provides broader location support and can facilitate county highways approvals. The Borough Council is the primary contact for local council land and public spaces.
Process
Contact the council’s filming team with production details, proposed dates, locations, and a risk assessment. Allow two weeks for standard applications. Filming on the Isle of Sheppey may require coordination with the coastguard and Natural England if near SSSI sites. Road closures on the A2 or A249 require Kent County Council highways approval via the Kent Film Office.
Fees
No published fixed fee schedule. The council quotes per application. Low-impact shoots are typically free; larger productions requiring council officer time or road closures incur fees from £150 per day plus traffic management costs.
What’s covered
Council-owned parks, beaches (subject to byelaws), car parks, and public spaces across Faversham, Sittingbourne, and the Isle of Sheppey. Faversham Creek and the Oare Marshes are popular locations but may require Natural England consent. Council buildings can be made available by arrangement.
Typical restrictions
SSSI and nature conservation restrictions apply across the North Kent Marshes and parts of the Isle of Sheppey (especially Elmley and Swale NNR). Drone filming near Kent International Airport (Manston) flight paths is restricted. Seasonal limitations on beach filming at Leysdown and Minster during summer. Faversham Creek filming may require Environment Agency consent for works near the waterway.
Contact
- Email: communications@swale.gov.uk
- Web: swale.gov.uk/filming
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Swale Borough 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 14 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?
- Swale Borough 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 Swale Borough Council's filming page at https://www.swale.gov.uk/filming-in-swale/. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.