Temporary Film Sets and Structures

A film set may only exist for a few days or weeks, but that does not mean every structure or ground work is automatically outside planning control. Temporary film sets can involve operational development as well as a temporary change of use.

Class E is unusually useful because it expressly permits temporary structures, works, plant and machinery required in connection with commercial filmmaking, subject to its limits, exclusions, prior approval and reinstatement conditions.

Shorter outdoor productions may also look at Class B, but that right is narrower and refers to moveable structures required for the permitted temporary use. Substantial sets, foundations and engineering works need to be assessed rather than simply described as temporary.

Does building a temporary film set need planning permission?

It can. Planning development includes building, engineering and other operations as well as material changes of use. A structure does not escape that definition merely because the production intends to dismantle it later.

The planning question depends on the physical works, scale, method of construction, attachment to the land and the statutory permitted development route available. A freestanding lightweight prop can be very different from a large set with foundations, earthworks, services or substantial supporting works.

Class E can permit temporary structures and works

Class E permits the temporary use of land or buildings for commercial filmmaking and, during the filming period, temporary structures, works, plant or machinery required in connection with that use.

The current general height limit is 20 metres. Where any part of the structure, works, plant or machinery is within 10 metres of the curtilage of land attached to a dwellinghouse, the limit is 5 metres.

The land in question, or the land on which the building is situated, must not exceed 3 hectares. The wider Class E exclusions also apply, including article 2(3) land, sites of special scientific interest, listed buildings and their curtilages and scheduled monuments.

Removal and reinstatement are conditions of Class E

Class E contains an important restoration obligation. Any structure, works, plant or machinery provided under the permission must be removed as soon as practicable after the end of each filming period.

The land on which Class E development has been carried out must also be reinstated to its condition before the development as soon as reasonably practicable after the filming period ends.

That should be planned from the beginning. If a production wants to leave a road, platform, hardstanding, foundation or other work behind, the Class E condition may not support that intention.

Prior approval still applies

Temporary set construction under Class E does not bypass the prior approval procedure. Before each new filming period the developer must apply to the local planning authority.

Transport and highways, noise, artificial lighting, flooding and the filming schedule can all be considered. Large set construction can affect several of those matters before filming even starts.

Can Class B cover a set?

Class B permits moveable structures required for the permitted temporary use of land. That can help some short outdoor productions, but it should not be stretched into a general right to build anything for 28 days.

Whether a proposed set or facility is genuinely a moveable structure is a factual question. Substantial construction or engineering works may fall outside that wording even though the whole filming operation lasts fewer than 28 days.

Class B also cannot be used where the land in question is a building or within the curtilage of a building and cannot be used for the siting of any caravan apart from the narrow festival exception.

Trackway, hardstanding and access works

Productions often concentrate on the visible set but overlook the infrastructure needed to reach it. Trackway, temporary roads, hardstanding, excavation, drainage and access alterations can themselves be planning operations.

Where Class E is available, temporary works required in connection with the commercial filmmaking may potentially fall within the right, but the statutory limits, prior approval and reinstatement conditions still need to be satisfied.

Access works on or adjoining the public highway can also require separate highway approval. See our roads and highways guide.

Listed buildings, scheduled monuments and conservation areas

Class E cannot be used where the relevant land or building is a listed building or within its curtilage, where it is or contains a scheduled monument, or on article 2(3) land such as a conservation area.

Physical set works at a listed building can also require listed building consent if they affect its special architectural or historic interest. Fixings, applied finishes, temporary partitions and support systems should be discussed with the heritage team rather than relying on the fact that they will later be removed.

Woodland and ecological constraints

Sets in woodland or sensitive habitats can affect roots, protected trees, species and designated sites. The production’s ecologist and arboricultural adviser may need to work alongside the planning team on access, foundations, lighting and reinstatement.

Class E is unavailable on a site of special scientific interest, and permitted development does not override separate tree or nature-conservation controls.

Building Regulations and site safety

Planning permission is not a structural-safety approval. Depending on the set and its use, Building Regulations, fire safety, temporary-demountable-structure guidance, health and safety duties or other technical controls may need specialist input.

Planning Geek can assess the planning route but does not replace the production designer, structural engineer, building-control professional or safety team.

Temporary set checklist

• draw the full footprint and height of every set and temporary structure
• identify foundations, excavation, trackway, roads, drainage and service connections
• decide whether Class B or Class E is actually being relied upon
• check Class E site-area, height and location exclusions
• include construction and strike activity in the filming period and prior approval material
• plan removal and reinstatement before construction starts
• check heritage, ecology, trees, highways and technical safety separately

For a complex set, the sensible time to resolve the planning route is while the designer can still change it, not once materials and crew are booked.

Filming and photography planning resources

Location filming can involve planning permission, permitted development, private or public land permissions, roads, protected sites, production bases and drone restrictions. Use the guide which best matches the issue you are dealing with.

Temporary Film Sets Page Created: 11th October 2026