We are the street naming and numbering authority for the area, under the provisions of the Public Health Act 1925 (various sections) and the Towns Improvement Clauses Act 1847.

Naming a house that is already numbered

If a property is numbered, an owner can name their property without contacting us - if it does not conflict with an existing property name in that locality.

The property name in this case will not officially form part of the address, and the property number must still be displayed and referred to in all correspondence:

My "House Name" (not part of official address)
My House Number (official address)
My Road (official address)
Town
County
Postcode

You only need to seek permission from us if there is no number allocated in the official address (for example, if the property has been allocated a name as part of its official address). Please inform us if you intend naming your property so we can check our records to see if there is a similar named property in the locality.

How to name a house

In the case of addresses where there is no number, the allocated name will form part of the official address. Property owners wishing to change the property name need to put their request in writing, stating their name, the present full address of the property and their new preferred name.

We will check our records to see if there is a similar named property in the locality. If the name is satisfactory, the new address will be registered, and you will be informed accordingly.

If there is an issue with your preferred name, we will request alternatives.

The information is then sent to Royal Mail, emergency services and other relevant essential services. It is the responsibility of property owners to inform their own personal contacts. There is a charge for this service.

Developing a single property/small development - how to number properties

If you are a developer of a new property (single or small development), you should contact us as soon as you commence work on site. A single or small development will usually be named or numbered into the existing street. If the property is within a numbered road, then often ABCs are used along with the adjoining number (for example 12A, 12B, 12C).

If the street has named properties, then the plot numbers will be used initially to register the property address. When the owner chooses a name, we will follow our standard process of name changing. The information is then sent to public utilities, emergency services, land registry, ordnance survey and relevant council services.

Developing a large estate - how to name new streets and number properties

If you are a developer of a large estate, you should contact us as soon as you commence work on site so that we can process the naming of any new streets and the numbering of your new properties without delay.

We will check your suggested street names for duplication in the local area and forward them to ward members for consultation. Wherever possible, name suggestions should follow the "theme" in the area you are developing in. When we have an agreed name, we will then register the street name/s and prepare a numbering schedule.

The information is then sent to public utilities, emergency services, land registry, ordnance survey and relevant council services. You will be sent a copy of the name and numbering schedule, to inform all your prospective purchasers of their new property address. Where appropriate, you will be asked to provide new street name plates to our standard design.

What happens if a street needs renaming/renumbering

Occasionally, it becomes necessary to rename or renumber a street. This is usually done as a last resort when:

• there is confusion over a street's name and/or numbering
• a large majority of residents are unhappy with their street name
• new properties are built and properties to be renumbered to accommodate
• the number of named-only properties in a street is causing confusion for essential services.

To change a street name, we will ballot the residents on the issue. We require at least a two-thirds majority to make the change - this a long process and we are only able to progress one of these issues at any time.