Street & property names

Here you will find advice on changing or creating street and property names.

The LLPG is an address database maintained by local authorities across the UK.

The aim to standardise street names throughout England and Wales has resulted in building one database to be used by all, including the council, Royal Mail, emergency services and private companies. 
  
More information can be found by clicking here.
Here you will find information on existing or new property names and numbers.

If your property has an existing name you would like to change, you will need to make an application with your request for the proposed name. See below for guidance and the application form. 
 
Once your request has been agreed, we will contact the postcode section of the Post Office to register the new name. This can take two to three weeks. We will contact you when it has been registered and will include a list of the utility services and other internal sections we inform. 

If your property has a postal number but you also wish to assign it with a name, you must continue to use and display the number. Where a name has been given to a property with its official number, the number must always be included. 
 
A name alone cannot be an alternative address but will be held on our database for completeness of identification only. This ensures consistency of records over time, reduces costs, and aids delivery of mail and emergency service response. See below for guidance and the application form. 

 

Individuals or developers who are constructing a new property, undertaking a conversion resulting in the creation of a new property, or changing multiple properties into one, will need to request a new postal address. See below for guidance and the application form. 
 
We advise you to submit your request for postal addressing at the early stages of any new build development. Utility companies are reluctant to install a service without an official postal address. 

New developments on new streets 
Once a new street name has been agreed, the numbering of the properties can take place. Alternatively, an application can be made to include both naming and numbering at the same time. The LLPG format is: 

  • Odd numbers on the left hand side of the street. 
  • Even numbers on the right hand side. 

Depending on the layout, this may result in more than one street name. 
 
In multiple occupancy buildings (blocks of flats), a street number is preferably given to each dwelling with individual street access. If the flats share a common entrance, the building should be given a name or number and the flats should be numbered separately internally. 
 
If a multiple occupancy building has entrances in more than one street, each entrance can be numbered in the appropriate road if required. 
 
See below for guidance and the application form. 
  
New developments on existing streets 

  • Existing property converted into flats 
    • Use the existing number and street name, such as ‘Flat 1, 20 High Street’ or use an additional name ‘1 Bondgate House, 20 High Street’. 
  • Commercial properties at ground level with flats above in an existing street 
    • The commercial property follows the existing street number. The flat numbering would depend on the entrance and how many flats it served. 
  • Existing buildings being demolished and replaced with a new building 
    • The old numbers will be incorporated into the address. 

See below for guidance and the application form. 

  • The principal property name should be unique and not duplicated in the area, postcode or on street names. For example, Rose House and Rose Cottage - only one property named Rose should be accepted. 
  • Using ‘flat’ in any form is not acceptable in the principal property name. 
  • Properties should not be named with a business name; this will be added to the address separately. 
  • Any names that could be considered obscene, racist or in violation of the council’s equal opportunities policies, will not be accepted. 
  • Properties should not be named after living people. 
  • Where possible, names should reflect the history of the area or acknowledge the local geography in compliance with BS7666 (the British Standard that sets out the guidelines). 
  • No abbreviations or punctuation should be used, for example ‘Marks House’ rather than ‘Mark’s House’. 
  • Property names must be clearly displayed at the entrance/drive to the property. 
  • Names should not include a number, whether numerical or written. 

 If necessary, we will ask you for another suggestion. 

When a new scheme is planned, the developer should consider naming the proposal at the earliest opportunity and once the layout is broadly established.

See below for the application form to initiate this process.

Our Street Naming and Numbering Policy can be viewed here.
When constructing new roads, developers should propose suitable names for adoption by the Highways Authority. 
Once an application is received, we will consult with a number of bodies on the proposal. A reply is requested within 28 days. 
 
The proposed name will be checked for an existing building or street with that name in the vicinity. If the name is too similar to an existing one, or there are objections, there will be further consultations to mutually agree on a name. 

The rules for naming streets are the same as naming a property. They should not begin with ‘the’ or include abbreviations, punctuation and numbers. If necessary, we will ask you for another suggestion. Pedestrianised streets should end in; walk, path, way or footpath. 
  
All new street names should end in a word to reflect the nature, history and/or location such as: 

  • Avenue - tree-lined residential road 
  • Bank - street on a bank 
  • Court/close - a residential cul-de-sac only 
  • Crescent - a crescent shaped road 
  • Crest - residential road at the crest of a hill 
  • Drive - residential road 
  • Gardens - residential road 
  • Garth - a cul-de-sac only 
  • Grove - residential road 
  • Hill - a hillside road only 
  • Lane - road 
  • Mews - converted yard or stables 
  • Mount - high point of the road 
  • Place - residential road 
  • Rise - road which has a rise 
  • Road - any thoroughfare 
  • Row - road 
  • Square - a square only 
  • Street - any thoroughfare 
  • Vale - residential road  
To submit your application, you will need the following.

  • further guidance and the relevant forms here:
  • Further guidance and the relevant forms here. 
  • Please view cancellation rights
  • the appropriate fee. 
  • A scaled location plan (not less than 1:1250). In the case of a new development, also include a layout plan indicating the position of the new property/properties in relation to the geographical surrounding, and clearly showing all relevant primary entrances to building(s). 
  • Where the development includes flats/apartments or similar, internal layout plans clearly showing door and access provision will also be necessary.