Street numbering & naming
Why is Street/Property Naming or Numbering important?
Maintaining a comprehensive and high standard for naming streets and numbering or naming properties is important as it allows:
- post to be delivered efficiently
- emergency services to find a property quickly - delays can cost lives and money
- visitors to find where they want to go
- reliable delivery of products and services
- records of service providers to be kept in an efficient manner
These functions are supported by developments in technology in two important ways:
- Local Authorities maintain a Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) for their administrative area, using an agreed data standard (BS7666). Data are pooled to form a national address database.
- each address will contain Ordnance Survey grid references which make it possible to locate it on a map. This information will support emergency services and service providers. It is also making possible a whole range of locational services available through mobile phones, in-car navigation systems etc.
Who is responsible for Street/Property Naming or Numbering
Official Addresses
Local Authorities have the legal responsibility to ensure that streets are named and properties numbered. The Borough Council has, therefore, the power to approve or reject property and street addresses. These powers are contained in Sections 64 and 65 of Towns and Improvement Clauses Act 1847 and Sections 17 - 19 of the Public Health Act 1925.
If you wish to change the name or number of your property or need an address for a new property, you will need to apply in wriring to the Council, enclosing a site location plan with the location clearly marked, giving enough details of streets to make the proposal clear. An internal layout is required for developments that will have separate addressable units, eg flats, commercial units. We are responsible for all properties, including sub-divided or merged properties.
Our objective when allocating an address is to establish a unique, unambiguous and logical address for each property.
Numbering of buildings
A new street is usually numbered with even numbers on one side (normally the right approaching from the town centre) and odd numbers on the left, except for a cul-de-sac where numbering is usually consecutive in a clockwise direction.
Private garages and similar buildings used only for housing cars etc. are not usually numbered.
All numbers, including 13 must be used in the proper sequence. Application to omit any number from a numbering sequence for whatever reason will be refused. Building names or numbers will be allocated to the road serving the main entrance.
For small blocks of flats the block will be numbered in the street (and possibly named as well). Individual flats within the block will include a suffix A, B, C, D etc.
Naming of buildings
On unnumbered streets it is essential that houses have officially allocated names. The name should not repeat the name of the road or that of any house or building in the area.
New Development
New street names should follow this protocol
Avenue, Drive, Place or Gardens. These titles are acceptable for any type of new street within the area.
- Street or Road - for any thoroughfare
- Way - for a major road
- Crescent - for a crescent shaped road only
- Close - for a cul-de-sac only
- Square - for a square only
- Hill - for a hill only
- Circus - for a roundabout only
- Terrace - for a terrace of houses but NOT as a subsidiary name within another road
- Mews - this is currently popular and is considered acceptable in appropriate circumstances
- End - for a road with only one entrance/exit
- Lane - for development of an historic by way
All new pedestrian ways should end with:
All named blocks should end with one of the following:
- Court - for flats and other residential buildings
- Mansions - other residential buildings
- House - residential blocks only
Postcodes
Royal Mail is responsible for the allocation of postcodes to addresses. However, Royal Mail will not issue postcodes without having received notification from the Council that addresses have been allocated to the properties concerned.
Royal Mail can deal with queries about postcodes by contacting them on their postcode enquiry line 08456 045060 or visiting their website: www.royalmail.com/portal/rm
If you have delivery problems telephone the Royal Mail's Customer Service Centre - 0845 7740 740 or write to: Royal Mail, Customer Services, Freepost, RM1 1AA
Changing an address
From time to time people may want to change an address. To gain legal recognition a written application will have to be made for the change. All the relevant criteria outlined previously should be observed. It will be necessary to identify clearly the property or properties in question, together with the existing and proposed address(es).
If an owner wishes to add a name to an already numbered property this will be acceptable, subject to satisfying the criteria relating to building names, but the property number must be retained.
If an owner is submitting proposed changes for properties they do not occupy it will be necessary to submit evidence that those with an interest in the other properties (owners, tenants etc) are in agreement with the proposed changes.
How to apply
A form, which may be used to apply for a name for a new street or building, a new name for an existing street or building, or any numbering or renumbering of buildings should be completed. The form can either be downloaded below or a copy can be sent to you. If you would like to discuss your proposals before making your application, you should contact Street/Property Naming and/or Numbering (01423) 556555. If you have any general addressing queries please contact Michael Wood (LLPG Custodian) on (01423) 556167 or
michael.wood@harrogate.gov.uk We aim to action requests within 30 working days, subject to all necessary information being received at the time of the application.
Fees
| Large developments which include a new road name |
£187.20 for 10 properties or less, plus £31.20 for each additional property |
| Small developments which do not include a new road name |
£73 per property |
| Re-naming of a property |
£31.20 per property |
| Confirmation of address |
£31.20 per property |
| Change of business name or alias name |
No charge |
To Apply
Please download and complete the form below. You will need to provide appropriate plans to accompany your application. The form and plans can be returned by email to ippu@harrogate.gov.uk or by post to the address given on the form.
Application form for a new address or change in address (220kb doc)
More Information