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 as long as 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.

You only need to get 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). 

How to name a house

For addresses that have no number, the allocated name will form part of the official address.

We will check our records to see if there is a similar named property in the locality. If we approve the name, the new address will be registered and we will let you know.

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

The information is then sent to Royal Mail, emergency services and other relevant essential services. There is a charge for this service.

If you are developing a single property or small development

If you are a developer of a new property, you should contact us as soon as you start 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.

If you are developing a large estate

If you are a developer of a large estate, you should contact us as soon as you start 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 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 buyers of their new property address. Where appropriate, you will be asked to provide new street name plates to our standard design.

Fees

The current fees are:

• property renumbering: £85
• registration of a single address: £100
• registration of additional addresses: £35 per each additional address
• addition of a name to an existing address: £40
• naming of a new street: £120
• resident's request to change a road name: £220 + £20 per dwelling

There is no charge of confirmation of address.