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Street Naming and Numbering

The address of a property is increasingly becoming a very important issue. More organisations, postal and emergency services, and the general public need an efficient means of locating and referencing properties. The Council is the Street Naming and Numbering Authority for the area. It carries out these functions under the provisions of the Public Health Act 1925 sections 17 -19.

Can I Name my House without Contacting the Council?

If a property is already numbered, a property owner can additionally name their property without contacting the Council as long as it does not conflict with an existing property name in that locality, contact us on the email address llpgmaintenance@oswestry-bc.gov.uk who will check if there is a property of that name or similar, which could cause you a problem e.g. in the event of an emergency services callout. The property name in this case will not officially form part of the property address, and the property number must still be displayed and referred to in any correspondence; for example:

• 'My House'(not part of official address)
• 1 My Road(official address)
• Town
• County
• Postcode

How do I change my house name?

If you wish to change the name of your property contact us on the email address llpgmaintenance@oswestry-bc.gov.uk who will check if there is a property of that name or similar, which could cause you a problem e.g. in the event of an emergency services callout.

You then need to notify Royal Mail, Oswestry Borough Council and any statutory bodies i.e. Utility providers etc of the new property name.

Developing a Single Property/Small Development - How do I Number Properties?

If you are a developer of a new property (single or small development), you should contact us as soon as you commence work on site. A single or small development will usually be named or numbered into the existing street. If the property is within a numbered road, then often ABCs are used along with the adjoining number (for example 12A, 12B, 12C...).

If the street has named properties, then the development plot numbers will be used initially to register the property address and subsequently, when the new owner chooses a name, we will follow our standard process of Property Name Change. The information is then sent to public utilities, emergency services, Land Registry, Ordnance Survey and relevant Council services. You will also be sent a copy of the registered address (you will need to contact the Royal Mail for the property postcode) from which we would ask you to inform your prospective purchasers of their new property address.

Developing a Large Estate - How do I Name New Streets and Number Properties?

If you are a developer of a large estate, you should contact us as soon as you commence work on site so that we can process the naming of any new streets and the numbering of your new properties without delay. We will check your suggested street names for duplication in the local area and also seek the views of the local Parish Council.

When we have an agreed name, we will then register the street name/s and prepare a numbering schedule. The information is then sent to public utilities, emergency services, Land Registry, Ordnance Survey and relevant Council services. You will also be sent a copy of the naming and numbering schedule (you will need to contact the Royal Mail for the property postcode) from which we would ask you to inform all your prospective purchasers of their new property address. Where appropriate, you will be asked to provide new street name plates to our standard design and a cost will be provided at the appropriate time.

What Happens if a Street Needs Renaming / Renumbering?

On rare occasions it becomes necessary to rename or renumber a street. This is usually only done as a last resort when:

• There is confusion over a street's name and/or numbering
• A group of residents are unhappy with their street name
• New properties are built in a street and there is a need for other properties to be renumbered to accommodate the new properties
• The number of named-only properties in a street is deemed to be causing confusion for visitors, the delivery or emergency services

Existing residents will be contacted and their views taken into account. We will then consult the Royal Mail for their position on the issue. To change a street name we will ballot the local residents on the issue. Hopefully there will be 100% support, but we require at least a two-thirds majority to make the change. This a very time consuming process and we are only able to progress one of these issues at any time.

However if you think you have a street naming issue, please contact us at the address below.

This service may be chargeable.

Contact Details

Oswestry Borough Council
Castle View
Oswestry
Shropshire
SY11 1JR

Tel: 01691 671111
Email: planning@oswestry-bc.gov.uk