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Street Naming and Numbering

Please note that charges apply for Street Naming and Numbering procedures (See Charges).

The authority to name and number streets is held only by local authorities. Royal Mail is not a street naming and numbering authority but it does hold the responsibility for issuing postcodes. Councils inform Royal Mail of the official addresses for new properties and, in return, Royal Mail issues postcodes and ensures that post can be delivered to new properties.

Surrey Heath Borough Council carries out its statutory function for street naming and numbering under Sections 17-19 of the Public Health Act 1925. Like all other local authorities, the addresses for Surrey Heath are held in the Council's Local Land and Property Gazetteer. This feeds into the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) which aims to provide a single, definitive address database for the UK. There are guidelines which govern the way data is entered into this database so that it conforms to a British Standard (BS7666). This ensures that properties and streets are named and numbered logically so that properties can be efficiently located by the emergency services, postal deliveries and other visitors.

Surrey Heath Borough Council has no responsibility for, or control over, the way that third parties manage their own address lists and it can take months or even years for changes to filter through, even after the Council and Royal Mail have updated their databases.

Maintenance of street name plates
The Council is responsible for the maintenance of street name plates but not traffic information signs, which are the responsibility of Surrey County Council. If a street name plate has been damaged or is missing please contact Environmental Services at Surrey Heath Borough Council on 01276 707330 or email environmental.health@surreyheath.gov.uk.

Changing the name of a property or adding a name to a property
If you wish to change the name of an unnumbered property please see the guidelines below and apply in writing, preferably by email. Requests must be from the property owner (new house purchases must have been completed). There is an administration charge of £25 for this service.

If you wish to add a name to a numbered property you may do so, but please be aware that you are legally obliged to continue to use and display the number as well. So, for example, your address would read as follows: Example House, 1 Example Street, Camberley, GU15 1XX. There is an administration charge of £25 for this service.

Guidelines:

• A unique name is preferable if possible, especially for properties without a number.
• Tree and flower names are very popular, so try to avoid these.
• A two word name may increase the chances of the name being unique.
• Try to suggest several alternatives.
• Names deemed offensive will not be considered.
• Requests to replace a house number with a name will not be considered.
• Requests to alter a number out of logical sequence - changing or removing the numbers 4, 7 or 13 for example - will not be considered.

Procedure:

• Apply in writing by email or post.
• Your suggestion(s) will be checked against the gazetteer.
• If unsuitable we will contact you for further suggestions.
• If suitable, we will issue an SNN reference number and request payment.
• On receipt of payment we will update our records and inform Royal Mail, the emergency services, utilities companies and other interested parties.
• Once Royal Mail has confirmed that they have updated their records, we will send you an official confirmation letter.

Numbering single properties/small developments without access road
For properties developed within a numbered street, the numbering will follow the existing. For example, a new house built in the grounds of 1 Example Street will be numbered 1A Example Street. 'Spare' numbers will be used where they exist, and if the new properties are at the end of a road, the existing numbering will be continued.

For properties developed on a street which only has names, the procedure will be the same as for changing the name of a property (see above).

Note: requests for the omission of numbers in the logical sequence - such as 4, 7 or 13 - will not be considered.

Please see the list of charges below.

Procedure:

• Once planning permission has been granted and work has commenced, apply in writing by email or post.
• We will check the gazetteer, suggest a numbering scheme and issue an SNN reference number.
• If you are happy with the suggested numbering, please commence payment.
• On receipt of payment we will update our records and inform Royal Mail, the emergency services, utility companies and other interested parties.
• Once Royal Mail has confirmed that they have updated their records, we will send you an official confirmation letter.

Developments with new roads
Where a new access road is part of the development, please suggest at least three alternatives for road names you would like us to consider.

Procedure:

• Once planning permission has been granted and work has commenced, apply in writing by email or post.
• We will check the gazetteer, agree the road name(s) with you, suggest a numbering scheme and issue an SNN reference number.
• We will then consult with the local councillors on the road name and, if the development is within a Parish Council, we will consult with the Parish too.
• If the councillors or the Parish have different suggestions we will consult with you again.
• On final agreement of the road name(s) please commence payment.
• On receipt of payment we will update our records and inform Royal Mail, the emergency services, utility companies and other interested parties.
• Once Royal Mail has confirmed that they have updated their records, we will send you an official confirmation letter.

Charges
Payment can be made online with a credit or debit card at: Online Payments

or by cheque made payable to Surrey Heath Borough Council - please write the SNN reference on the back, i.e. SNN999.

This service or information is provided by Surrey Heath Borough Council