Street Naming and Numbering

Addresses / Property Gazetteer 

It is a statutory responsibility of the District Council to ensure that all new and existing properties throughout the district are correctly addressed and officially registered. This role is carried out by the Corporate Database team for both Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council.

The address database is maintained to the BS7666 standard of addressing as laid down by Central Government and reflects the geographical location of the property.  We are required to hold our Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) in this format and submit to the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) regularly.  This gazetteer is a central database of addresses that will enable the electronic delivery of property-based information. Each property is allocated a Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) and this will enable all information relating to a property to be gathered together.

On new developments, where streets are required, the streets are named and properties are allocated numbers. On new developments into existing streets, they are addressed into the street in the best way possible. Also, on occasion, changes must be made to existing addresses, to overcome practical difficulties, accommodate new development, or correct historic discrepancies. This exercise is necessary if properties are to be clearly and readily identified for purposes of delivery of mail, goods, services and, more importantly, so that the emergency services can locate premises without delay.

Street Name Signs/Plates

In addition to maintaining addresses, the District Council is also responsible for ensuring that street name signs are provided and fitted in suitable positions. The statutory requirement is for a street name sign to be placed at the start, or either end, of a road and it is vital in the event of an urgent situation that you and your street can be located quickly by the emergency services.

The District Council is responsible for the repair and maintenance of street name signs on adopted roads when this becomes necessary, either due to accidental damage, vandalism or normal wear and tear. In the case of a new development however, the developer is required to provide and erect the initial street name signs.

Address Requests and Reporting Damaged/Missing Street Signs

If you wish to register a new address, amend an existing address or report a damaged or missing street name sign please choose from the options below to apply/report online, which is the preferred method as it will take you through what information is required as part of the application process. Alternatively, if you are unable to apply online, you can email your application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NB: Please be aware that the District Council is only responsible for street name signs, any other type of street signage, such as speed limit signs, directional signs, village name signs, etc., or any other road or path issues, are the responsibility of the County Council and will need to be reported on their website Report County Highway signs e.g. Speed limit, village signs

New Large Developments

Generally with more than four new properties or conversions, or a development requiring one or more new streets.

The process for registering new addresses can take up to 6-8 weeks, depending on a number of factors, some internal, some external, so please ensure any application is submitted in a timely manner.

Application Requirements

When submitting a request for new addresses we require the following information:

• A location plan clearly identifying the new scheme in relation to any existing streets or means of access
• A final approved detailed plan of the development clearly marked with property entrance locations, plot/unit/apartment or flat numbers of the proposed scheme
• A final internal layout plan, if appropriate, for developments that are subdivided at unit or floor level e.g. a block of flats, etc., the main entrance to the block should be clearly marked
• The approved planning application number
• The building control application number, if applicable, along with confirmation work has started/when work will be starting on site, how far along the build is, and the estimated completion date
• Property names, if required, a minimum of two different names for each property must be submitted, proposed names must meet our criteria for property naming. Find out more: pdf Criteria for Property Naming (96 KB) .

Please be aware that failure to submit a Street Naming and Numbering request in a timely manner could incur delays when trying to register for utility services, council tax, etc.

Apply online

Street Naming and Numbering Procedure for New Large Developments

The following procedures are in place to name and number a new development, following a request from the developer:

• The Town or Parish Council has the responsibility for choosing the new street names for any new developments within their boundaries
• The developer may submit their own suggestions for street names, in accordance with our criteria for street naming, please read for more information: pdf Criteria for Street Naming (95 KB) , which will be forwarded onto the relevant Town or Parish Council for consideration when making their own suggestions NB: There is no guarantee the Town or Parish Council will use any names suggested to them
• Once suitable street names have been received from the relevant Town or Parish Council:
  • The proposed street name will be made known to the developer
  • If an agreement is not reached between the developer and the Town or Parish Council, the Local Member and Planning Portfolio Holder are advised
  • The final decision lies with the Planning Portfolio Holder and the Head of Planning and Infrastructure.
• Once the new street names have been agreed, the corporate database team will work out the correct numbering scheme, which will then be submitted to the developer for agreement
  • Where a collective property name is required, this will be numbered into the street and each division will be numbered into the collective name (e.g. ‘1 Rose Tree Barn, 10 New Street’, ‘2 Rose Tree Barn, 10 New Street’; ‘Flat 1, New House’, ‘Flat 2, New House’, etc.)
  • All properties will be numbered into the new street
• Postcodes are requested from Royal Mail
• The developer is provided with details of the new addresses, to inform new purchasers
• The new addresses are registered with Royal Mail, emergency and essential services and internal departments of the District Council
• An estimate for the provision of the street signs is sent to the developer. On receipt of payment from the developer, the signs are ordered, and the developer erects them

Please be aware: It is the responsibility of owners/occupiers to ensure that any number, and/or name, allocated to a property is clearly displayed in such a way that it is in a prominent position and legible from the street. The number will always be retained even when a name is added to a numbered property.

New Small Developments

Generally with less than four new properties or conversions, or a development requiring no new streets

The process for registering new addresses can take up to 6-8 weeks, depending on a number of factors, some internal, some external, so please ensure any application is submitted in a timely manner.

Application Requirements

When submitting a request for a new address we require the following information:

• A location plan clearly identifying the new scheme in relation to any existing streets or means of access
• The approved planning application number
• The building control application number, if applicable, along with confirmation work has started/when work will be starting on site, how far along the build is, and the estimated completion date
• Property names, if required, a minimum of two different names for each property must be submitted, proposed names must meet our criteria for property naming pdf Criteria for Property Naming (96 KB) .

Please be aware that failure to submit a Street Naming and Numbering request in a timely manner could incur delays when trying to register for utility services, council tax, etc.

Apply online

Street Naming and Numbering Procedure for New Small Developments

• If the new development falls within a numbered street, then a number will be allocated to each new property, this could either be the next consecutive odd or even number, or may require ABCs along with the adjoining number (for example 12A, 12B, 12C...)
• If the new development falls within a street that is not numbered the properties can be allocated a name only, for which the following procedure applies:
  • We will check any proposed names against our own address database, and we will also liaise with other organisations, such as Royal Mail, to ascertain if they have knowledge of any similar named properties in the locality.
  • We will carry out the relevant checks and, if any of the proposed names are acceptable, taken in order of preference, the new address will be registered and confirmation sent to the owner
  • If none of the proposed names are acceptable, we will request additional name suggestions
• Postcodes are requested from Royal Mail
• The developer is provided with details of the new addresses, to inform new purchasers
• The new addresses are registered with Royal Mail, emergency and essential services and internal departments of the District Council
• The corporate database team are responsible for street naming and numbering, and their decision is final, with regards to any addresses where a new street is not required

Please be aware: It is the responsibility of owners/occupiers to ensure that any number, and/or name, allocated to a property is clearly displayed in such a way that it is in a prominent position and legible from the street. The number will always be retained even when a name is added to a numbered property.

Amendments to a New Development Scheme

Once the street naming and numbering process has taken place on a new development scheme any requests for new streets or renumbering/naming will incur a charge. The schedule of fees can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

Apply online

Change of Property Name or Addition of a Name on a Numbered Property

Changes to existing addresses can only be requested by a property owner, along with tenant agreement, if applicable.

Application Requirements

• A location plan clearly identifying the location of the property
• Property names, if required, a minimum of two different names for each property must be submitted, proposed names must meet our criteria for property naming: pdf Criteria for Property Naming. (96 KB)
• As part of the application process, you will need to confirm that you are the property owner

Apply online

Street Naming and Numbering Procedure for Change/Addition of House Name

• We will check any proposed names against our own address database, and we will also liaise with other organisations, such as Royal Mail, to ascertain if they have knowledge of any similar named properties in the locality.
• We will carry out the relevant checks and, if any of the proposed names are acceptable, taken in order of preference, the new address will be registered and confirmation sent to the owner
• If none of the proposed names are acceptable, we will request additional name suggestions
• Any new addresses will be registered with Royal Mail, emergency and essential services and internal departments of the District Council
• It is the responsibility of the owner to notify HM Land Registry and any other interested parties
• Where a name has been given to a property which also has an official number, the number must always be included in any correspondence, the name cannot be regarded as an alternative.
• The corporate database team are responsible for street naming and numbering, and their decision is final, with regards to property naming.

Please be aware: It is the responsibility of owners/occupiers to ensure that any number, and/or name, allocated to a property is clearly displayed in such a way that it is in a prominent position and legible from the street. Where a name has been given to a property which also has an official number, the number must always be included in any correspondence, the name cannot be regarded as an alternative.

Confirmation of Address

If you require written confirmation of the officially registered address for your property, you can submit a request using the link below. Please be aware that this is a chargeable service, the schedule of fees can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

Apply online

Re-Numbering/Renaming of Existing Streets and Properties

On rare occasions, it becomes necessary to rename or renumber a street. This is usually done only 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.

Renumbering of a single property: Where there is a requirement to change the number for a single property within a street, the request must be made by the property owner.

Renumbering of a street: Existing residents will be contacted, and their views are taken into account. We will then consult the Royal Mail for their position on the issue.

Change or addition of a street or locality name: An initial consultation would need to be carried out by the Parish/Town Council to determine if a majority of the affected residents and/or property owners are in favour of the proposed change. The minimum level of agreement required by the local authority is two thirds of council tax or business rates properties, however Royal Mail will require 100% agreement before they will accept a request to change addresses on their website. If the initial consultation proves a preference for the change, a site notice would be posted for a period of 21 days to inform residents of the proposed change and also advising any objectors that they have the right to appeal to the Magistrates Court. Depending on whether an appeal has been lodged, and the outcome of that appeal, the Site Notice will be replaced with an Order confirming the change. Note: this will incur charges to be paid by the proposer of the change (this will also include any costs which are incurred should it go to appeal).

This a very time-consuming process and we are only able to deal with one of these issues at any time. If you would like more information before you apply, please contact us by email using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Apply online

This is a chargeable service. The schedule of fees can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

Report Damaged or Missing Street Name Signs

The funding available for the maintenance of street nameplates is limited and therefore a list of works is maintained, and the repair and replacement is on a priority basis. For example, where there is an old street name sign, but it is still legible, it will not be replaced immediately.

Report A Damaged Street Name Sign

Only for damaged or missing street name signs of this or a similar style:

For any other type of street signage, such as speed limit signs, directional signs, village name signs, etc., or any other road or path issues, please report them to the County Council on their website:

Report County Highway signs e.g. Speed limit, village signs

For more information or general enquiries relating to street naming and numbering.
Please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you are unable to email, please call:01684 862147 or 01684 862269.