North Ayrshire Council

North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine, Scotland, KA12 8EE
Fax: +44 (0)1294 324144  Overseas: +44 1294 323963
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Street Naming and Numbering

This page provides information on the procedures involved in naming and numbering streets and street nameplates.

 

In accordance with the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, the Council is responsible for allocating street names and numbers to any development within the Council area.

 

New Streets and Developments

The Council should be approached at an early stage of developments where new street names and numbers are required. It can take up to two months to obtain an official postal address, and the Council's Building Control Section normally insist that Completion Certificates are issued under their official postal address. It is therefore essential an application for an official postal address is made as soon as the development has started.

 

New street names are selected by the Councillor for the ward in which the development is located. Street names will be chosen to avoid duplication with existing street names within the same town or village, and will be appropriate for the physical layout of the development. Developers may suggest their own choice of street names, but the final decision lies with the Councillor. The Councillor's choice is then put to the appropriate Council Committee for approval. Once approved, notification of the new street names is sent to the Royal Mail who adopt them as the official postal addresses and allocate appropriate postcodes. The Council also notifies the Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board, Police, Fire, Ambulance, Scottish Power, British Gas Transco, British Telecom, Ordnance Survey etc.

 

Anyone wishing new postal addresses should contact Planning Services. Contact details are shown in the box at the right of this page.

 

The following information should be provided:

  • A contact address and telephone number.
  • A plan showing the location of the development.
  • A layout plan clearly showing the pedestrian and vehicular accesses (and for flatted developments internal layouts for all floors).
  • Elevations.
  • Any information available on postal addresses of adjoining and nearby properties.
  • A unique house name if this is required (for houses in rural areas).

 

Street Nameplates

The Council is responsible for the erection and maintenance of street nameplates, but may approach developers to request they initially purchase and erect new street nameplates within their new developments to specifications, and at locations provided by the Council.

 

If a street nameplate has been vandalised, damaged or removed, contact the Traffic Section, Roads and Transportation Services. Contact details are shown in the box at the right of this page. 

Contact Details

FOR NEW POSTAL ADDRESSES

Planning Services

North Ayrshire Council

Cunninghame House, Irvine

KA12 8EE

 

Tel: 01294 324760

Fax: 01294 324372

 

FOR HELP WITH STREET NAMEPLATES

Traffic Section

Roads and Transportation Services

North Ayrshire Council

Perceton House

Irvine

KA11 2AL

 

Tel: 01294 225237

Fax: 01294 225244
Who names streets?
The local authority is responsible for the naming of streets within their local area. Often the local councillor will decide on the name.

Who is responsible for erecting street signs in a new development?
The Council is responsible, and initially, when a new development is built, may approach a developer to request they purchase and erect street nameplates within a development, to specifications, and at locations, defined by the Council.

The Royal Mail do not have my address correct. How can I rectify this?
First, please ensure that the address is actually wrong. The Council will endeavour to rectify any problems with addresses, however the address you consider to be wrong may be correct. Contact Royal Mail either by phone or online at www.royalmail.com to check your address. If there is a problem then contact the Roads Department with as much detail as possible regarding the problem.

I have just moved into a new housing development and there are no street nameplates. How do I get a street nameplate erected?
Contact your developer, as it is normally their responsibility to erect street signs.

How can I find out the address of a newly built property?
Contact the developer who sold you the property. They should have already contacted the Council to arrange street names and house numbers. If they are unable to help then please contact the council. You may have to provide further information via post/fax/email such as a location plan. Please note that addresses are normally only released once planning permission is finalised and building work has commenced.

How can I change the name of my house?
If your official Royal Mail address has a house number then there is no requirement to inform the Council, and you can simply change the name of your house, however the house number should always be included in your address to avoid problems with mail delivery. If your house has no street number then you must contact the council with details of your existing address and the proposed house name. The proposed name will be checked to ensure that there are no clashes with existing registered names. It is still your responsibility to inform your personal contacts, such as doctor, dentist, etc.