I take it that the property in question was Mermaid Quay - which is private. Their website says:
"Location Filming & Photography
Mermaid Quay is private property and commercial photography is not permitted without permission.
Stills Photography: £50.00 (per hour), £150.00 (half day), £250.00 (full day)
Location Filming: £100.00 (per hour), £300.00 (half day), £500.00 (full day)
Minimum fee £100.00.
N.B. all prices are excluding VAT, which is chargeable.
For more information about photography and filming opportunities at Mermaid Quay please email
marketing@mermaidquay.co.uk."
I think this is quite typical. Obviously they are going to let visitors take photos and videos - its in the interests of Mermaid Quay to (a) be nice to their visitors and (b) have some free marketing/advertising.
With commercial property they probably think they can (a) extract some value from it, and (b) exercise some control about what sort of commercial photography/filming goes on at their property.
Now, I think the presenter of that BBC4 show should probably realise you often need permission for commercial/professional filming on private land. Its not like he's a complete amateur. At the very least it looks like they took advantage of a situation, and kept that in to show up the owners/managers of Mermaid Quay - what are they hiding? What are they ashamed of? Look at those corporate control freaks... when in fact its just some guy doing his job, enforcing the usual rules of Mermaid Quay (which are there for sound commercial reasons). Or worse, they actually set this whole thing up, expecting they would get asked to stop filming.
The whole programme was one sided. The inclusion of the scene adds nothing of real value to the show. It takes time that could be used to go more in depth to the issues. Or to look at the other perspective. But alas.. no. Wouldn't want that.