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Who we consult with before any changes are agreed
The Royal Mail is consulted regarding all house naming queries prior to any changes being adopted. In the case of developments where new street names are required, the Developer and the relevant Town/Parish Council are also consulted.
Naming and numbering of new developments
- Developers should write in once work has commenced on site, enclosing 2 copies of the site layout plan, along with any suggestions for new street names. Sometimes they are happy for the Town/Parish Council to suggest names.
- The local Town/Parish Council are then either consulted on the suggested street names or asked to suggest some street names. Royal Mail is also consulted on all proposed names.
- The Council's Building Control Section is responsible for the postal numbering of the new properties.
- Once an agreement is reached between the Developer, the Town/Parish Council and Royal Mail and Building Control have completed the numbering, the naming and numbering scheme is then confirmed to all parties involved.
- The naming and numbering scheme is also confirmed to other interested organisations including emergency services and utility companies and other departments within the Council.
- The Developer/owner should send in a site plan indicating the new property in relation to any existing properties.
- If the property is located in an existing numbered street, then the next logical number is allocated.
- If the property is not in a numbered street then the Developer/owner is asked to suggest a name.
- Royal Mail is then consulted in both instances. If the name is not acceptable the Developer/owner will be asked for another suggestion.
- The Royal Mail also allocates the correct postcode to the new property. It cannot be assumed that a new property will autoamtically have the same postcode as neighbouring properties.
- Once the name/number is approved, a letter is sent to the Developer/owner confirming the new address along with a list of other organisations that must be informed. We will notifiy and other interested departments within the Council.
Changing the name of a property
- Residents should contact the Council's Corporate Services Information Unit with details of the existing name and address of the property, the proposed new name and when the change is to take effect. An online form is available if you wish to do this electronically.
- The Council will then consult with Royal Mail, who will check that the proposed name is not the same/too similar to other properties in the same area, and if the name is not acceptable, you will be asked for another suggestion.
- Once Royal Mail has approved the change of name, the Council will send confirmation to the resident, along with a list of other suggested organisations to inform. We also notify the various departments within the Council.
When a property has been officially numberedWhen a property has been officially numbered, a name can be added to the address, however, the number must be retained.
Background information about the Street naming and numbering process
Street naming and numbering is a statutory function and an important aspect of modern life that perhaps everyone takes for granted, but it is sufficiently important to need legislation to enforce the requirements of government and local government in this area. The address data held in the councils Local Land and Property Gazetteer and the National Land and Property Gazetteer, which are both continually maintained and updated in accordance with the requirements of BS7666. The legislation also gives the Council the ability to make Regulations about erecting the names of public streets and ensuring that owners in accordance with those regulations display the names and numbers of buildings.
The relevant powers for local authorities are contained in Sections 64 and 65 of the Towns Improvement Clauses Act 1847, and Sections 17, 18 and 19 of the Public Health Act of 1925. Both Acts are still in force even though they exceed 150 years and 75 years respectively. The legislation requires the Local Authority to prepare street naming and numbering schemes and to maintain a good standard of street nameplates. Both are essential for the efficient functioning of postal and emergency services as well as for the convenience and safety of the general public.
Public Health Act 1925, S 19 gives authorities the power to insist that the name of every street shall be shown in a conspicuous position and also alter or renew it if it becomes illegible. This section makes it illegal to pull down a street name, which has been lawfully set up, or fixes a notice or advertisement within close proximity to the sign. Anyone found guilty of infringing these requirements is liable to a fine imposed by the Magistrates.
Where a new development has been constructed purchasers of new properties should be careful when passing on their new address details that they are using the correct postal number issued by the Council and not the plot number from the development, as the two are not necessarily the same. The responsibility lies with the Council to issue correct postal numbers and addresses and not the Developer.
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