STREET NAMING AND NUMBERING 

Quick Links

• Introduction,
• Naming and numbering of new developments,
• Naming and numbering of a new 'single' property,
• Changing the name of a property,
• When a property has been officially numbered,
• Report damage to a street name plate.

Introduction

This service is provided by the Council's Corporate Services Information Unit and includes;

• the naming and numbering of new streets, properties and developments,
• changes to and allocation of house names and numbers to existing properties.

Consultations

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.

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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.

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Naming and numbering a new 'single' property

• 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.

• Once the name/number has been agreed, a letter is sent to the Developer/owner confirming the new address along with a list of other organisations that must be informed, and other interested departments within the Council are also notified.

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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 confirmed that the change of name is acceptable, the Council will send an acknowledgement letter to the resident, along with a list of other suggested organisations to inform, and notify the various departments within the Council.

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When a property has been officially numbered

Report damage to a street name plate

 You can use the online report a problem facility on the onesuffolk website to report damage to a street nameplate in the Babergh District and in other council areas in Suffolk.

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