By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Newark & Sherwood District Council hopes Hollywood blockbusters could come to the town after approving an easier filming process for several historic landmarks.
Filmmaking will be made much simpler for Newark Castle, the National Civil War Centre and the Palace Theatre.
Previously, producers needed to apply for planning permission at these sites – a time-consuming process which made filming difficult.
Now filmmakers will be granted permission on a case-by-case basis by council officers, with each production entering into a contract.
Most members of the council’s planning committee welcomed the change at a meeting on Thursday (May 9), sharing dreams it would bring Hollywood stars.
Councillor Keith Melton (Lib Dem) said: “Lincoln Cathedral has done remarkably well with visitors from blockbusters like the Da Vinci Code.
“Newark is capable of accommodating that kind of tourism too.”
Councillor Emma Oldham (Ind) said: “Why wouldn’t we want to put the town on the map and make people feel proud? If Tom Cruise ever arrived, what a buzz for Newark.
“Staff at Thoresby Hall say their main source of income for protecting that gem is film crews.
“They have really stringent rules to protect everything. I’m sure we can facilitate that in an outdoor setting like the castle.”
However, Councillor Johno Lee (Con) said his experience in the film and TV industry made him wary of granting permission.
“A documentary team with one camera is one thing, but a big production would have lots of HGVs and food trucks. That idea should scare you,” he said.
“We’ve been assured that the castle will be kept open, but my concern is it will be chipped away and constantly closed to residents.
“Production for something like Downton Abbey takes weeks and weeks.”
He said he preferred power over filmmaking to stay with the planning committee rather than be delegated.
Revenue from any productions would be put back into cultural sites, planning documents say.
There would be restrictions on the hours filming can take place and to prevent filmmakers from attaching anything to historic structures.
Lincoln Cathedral has doubled as Westminster Cathedral in The Da Vinci Code, staring Tom Hanks, and most recently became Notre Dame for Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, with Joaquin Phoenix in the main role.
