Street naming and numbering policy

7.1 General

7.1.1 A new street should be numbered with even numbers on the right side and odd numbers on the left, except that, for a cul-de-sac, where they may be numbered sequentially.

7.1.2 Additional properties in streets that are currently numbered will always be allocated a property number. Legislation permits the use of numbers followed by letters.

7.1.3 Private garages, annexes and buildings used for housing cars or livestock will not be numbered separately from a main dwelling.

7.1.4 A proper sequence shall be maintained, no sanction will be given to the avoidance of any numbers such as: 13, 7, 4 and so on. Once numbered, the Council will not normally re-number properties. The Council will only renumber a property where it can be shown that there are consistent delivery problems or during the course of a development. The Councils numbering 7 sequence is final. In the event of a disagreement the matter will be determined by the Director of Finance and Operations with the Executive Member for Environment.

7.1.5 Properties (including those on corner sites) are numbered according to the street in which the main entrance is to be found and the manipulation of numbering in order to secure a “prestige” address or to avoid an address, which is thought to have undesired associations will not be sanctioned.

7.2 Multiple Occupancy Buildings

7.2.1 In multiple occupancy buildings (blocks of flats) it is preferable to give a street number to each dwelling with individual access to the street . When the flats share a common entrance or there are not sufficient numbers available because of existing development, the building should be given a number where possible or a name, and the flats numbered separately internally.

7.2.2 Flats will be numbered in the form of “Flat 1”, “Flat 2”, etc. Any other form of naming or numbering is discouraged (for example “First Floor Flat” or “Flat A” is unacceptable and will be known as “Flat 1”).

7.2.3 If a multiple occupancy building has entrances in more than one street, then each entrance can be numbered in the appropriate road if required. In this case, advice from the local delivery office will be sought.

7.3 Small Developments

7.3.1 The Council will endeavour to follow the existing numbering sequence for a street, or to use numbers followed by letters where there is no alternative. For example these are included when one large house in a road is demolished and replaced by a number of smaller houses. To include the new houses in the numbered road sequence would involve renumbering all the higher numbered houses on that side of the road. To avoid this each new house should be given the number of the old house with either A, B, C etc added. Infill developments will be given suffixes relating to the lower numbered property (two properties between no's 21 and 23 would be 21A and 21B). Suffixes will not be used for a development situated prior to a numbering sequence. In this case individual property names would be requested. 

7.3.2 In the case of an infill development of more than 5 units in one structure – terrace properties or flats, a building name can be agreed.

7.3.3 Any such building names should end with one of the following suffixes: House Mews View Court Terrace 8

7.3.4 The developer will be responsible for the cost and installation of signage indicating the name of the block, or individual numbering including such name. The size, type and positioning to be to the Councils specification.

7.3.5 For new developments under construction, where additional properties or plots have been added or removed after initial numbering the Council will re-number the entire street. This will incur a charge (see Appendix G)

7.4 Development greater than 5 Properties

7.4.1 A development of greater than 5 properties off a new access road will be allocated a new street name and numbered accordingly.

7.5 Property Names

7.5.1 Historically, some rural areas do not have a numbering sequence. Individual houses and small developments in these areas, on existing unnumbered roads, will normally require property names. Proposals for naming unnumbered properties should meet the general criteria set for Street Naming and should not repeat the road name, or that of any house or building in the area (section 4.2 and 4.11.1).

7.5.2 Where a property has a number, it must be used and displayed. Where a name has been given to a property together with its official number, the number must always be included and displayed as well as the name. The name alone cannot by regarded as an alternative.

7.5.3 The official address will be the property number and any name will be held on the database as an alternative (alias) for completeness of identification only. This applies both to domestic and commercial property. This is to ensure consistency of records over time, reduce costs and aid delivery of mail and emergency service response.