Hold an event in a park

You must apply for permission if you want to hold an event in a park or public open space. 

We require 3 weeks (15 working days) to process small event applications like picnics and 6 weeks for larger events which will use the entire park or green space.  

How to apply

Regulations 

Before applying you need to make sure you have read the regulations for the hire of public open spaces and the guidance for the event or activity you want to hold. Event guidance includes:    

• barbecue guidance (barbecues for large events run by commercial caterers only)
• bouncy castle guidance
• fire management policy (including forest schools using fire equipment)
• geocaching regulations
• outdoor learning and forest schools
• parkrun regulations
• personal training regulations
• playgroup regulations

The event organiser is responsible for checking if a temporary events notice or any other licences are required.  

You can find more information on our licences for alcohol and entertainment pages.  

Apply

When you have read the regulations you must complete an application to hire a public open space and return it to us by emailing communityspaces@southglos.gov.uk together with all relevant supporting documents. 

If you are holding a park run or forest school, then you should use the relevant form.

You must complete all the essential information in the application form. We cannot process your application until we have received all the relevant information.

Supporting documents  

You must provide us with a risk assessment for your event. If you do not have one, you can use our event plan risk assessment template.  

We will also need a site location plan that shows where you want to place items such as equipment, staging or stalls, and where you will be located in the open space.

If you want to hold your event on a site that has been leased to a third party then you must contact them first to discuss any hire changes. The lease holder should complete a landowner’s permission form and send it to us. 

Fees and charges 

View our hire of open spaces fees and charges document for information.   

For charges for personal training and tennis you can find information on our outdoor sports facilities age.  

We reserve the right to charge for reinstatement of damaged land if the event results in additional costs to the council.  

Some events have a concessionary fee. You can contact us using the details on this page for more information.