Bristol Film Office is a Bristol City Council service dedicated to all productions planning to film in the city. We can assist at all stages of production, from initial location and crewing advice to recces and logistical support.
 
Bristol Film Office

Drone Filming

The use of drones for filming is becoming more widespread as technology advances. If you want to take off and land a drone on Bristol City Council land, you will now need to give us at least seven days’ notice and apply for filming permission.

The process to apply for permission to take off/land a drone on Bristol City Council land is as follows:

1. Read and share the following documents with all crew members.

2. Submit a filming permit application to Bristol Film Office including,

  • A full risk assessment.
  • A copy of your company’s public liability insurance certificate (minimum £5million).
  • A copy of the drone pilot’s A2CofC, GVC or PfCO.
  • A map/site plan pinpointing take-off and landing points, cordoned areas and proposed flight path.
  • A method statement advising how you plan to manage the areas over which the drone will fly. In line with the CAA guidelines, we will insist on a 30m2 clear radius for this area.

3. Bristol Film Office will review the application and documents supplied and make the necessary arrangements with Bristol City Council land managers. We aim to confirm permission to film within 5 working days of receipt of the permit application.

Apply for a Filming Permit

Please note:

  • We can only consider applications from professional drone companies.
  • We require your CAA licence, risk assessment and public liability insurance at the point of application to process your request.
  • Without a permit from Bristol Film Office, the only spaces a non-commercial drone can take off and land are on designated flying areas of parkland.
  • When considering drone footage, remember that the pilot has to keep visual contact on the drone during flight, not using the on-board camera.
  • Drones cannot take off from the highway without a road closure in place.

View our map of possible drone launch areas.

Restricted areas

If there is a particular area you want to capture, please contact us and we can recommend a take off area.

City centre drone filming

Please take advice from your drone operator before requesting permission for drone filming over the city centre. CAA guidelines state that drones must not be flown over congested areas; therefore, we will only consider requests for drone filming in the city centre early on Sunday mornings, subject to planned activity in the area.

Fees

Drone permits cost from £225 per day. For multiple take off points and prolonged usage, fees will be subject to negotiation.