Further Information on the Street Naming Process

Following commencement of works on site, the developer will be requested to supply three preferred names for consideration for each of the new streets being constructed. Please note that any suggested street name should have some connection with the area and must conform to the guidelines set out below. The developer is requested to supply a layout plan with plot numbers of the site with the street name application.

Process

Within 5 working days following receipt of the developer's three preferred names, that conform with the Council's Policy Guidelines, the appropriate Ward Councillors and Parish Council will be consulted. The period allowed for consultation shall be 14 days from the date of the covering letter to the Ward Councillors and Parish Council. The stipulated deadline date will be strictly adhered to, due to the legally imposed time limit.

If, by the stipulated deadline date, one of the offered names is considered acceptable by all or a majority of the consultees then that name will be adopted, the properties within the new street will be numbered and an official plan produced. The plan will be distributed to the developer, Royal Mail and other relevant bodies.

If no response is received from consultees by the specified 'deadline' date, then the GIS Manager will select one of the three preferred names, the properties within the new street will be numbered, an official plan produced and distributed.

If none of the offered names are considered acceptable by the Ward Councillors and  Parish Council and within the stipulated 'deadline' date, they have put forward their own preferred name, the developer will be immediately informed, by a written notice of objection to their preferred name.

In serving a written notice of objection, the developer will be asked to accept the name put forward by the Ward Councillors and Parish Council. If the developer declines, they have under Section 17 (4) the legal right to appeal to a Magistrates' Court within 21 days of the service of the notice of objection. In such circumstances the Council will have to defend the case before the Magistrates' Court. The Ward Councillors and Parish Council will have to give evidence before the Magistrates should this be necessary.

Signage

The developer will be responsible for the cost and installation of street nameplates. The Council will cover maintenance costs once the street has been officially adopted. Street nameplates must meet the Council's specifications.

Maintenance of street signs becomes the Council's responsibility once a street has been adopted.

It is not lawful to erect a street nameplate until the Borough Council has confirmed the street name in writing:

Note: Contravention attracts a fine under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1982 (Section 37(2) Standard Scale Level 1 offences). A daily penalty rate also applies in this case.

Criteria for Naming Streets

The address management officer will use these guidelines when agreeing a new number or address. Developers and Parish Councils should follow these guidelines for any suggested street names:

New street names should not duplicate any similar name already in use in a town or village or in the same postcode area. A variation in the terminal word, for example, "street", "road", "avenue", will not be accepted as sufficient reason to duplicate a name.

A common request is to repeat existing names in a new road or building title (for example a request for "St Mary's Close" off an existing St Mary's Way, near St Mary's Church). This is not allowed as it can have a detrimental effect in an emergency situation. This is in line with Government guidance found in Circular 3/93.

Street names should not be difficult to pronounce, awkward to spell or where punctuation may give rise to variations.

The Council will not adopt any unofficial 'marketing' titles used by developers in the sale of new properties.

Names will not be considered that may be construed as nationalist, obscene, racist or contravene any aspect of the Council's Equality and Diversity Policy or would undermine the cohesiveness of local communities.

Street names must not include the word "The" or end with a possessive (i.e. Apostrophe s) or plural words (i.e. "The Cottage" or "The Saltings")

Names that may be taken as advertising (i.e. company name) will not be accepted

All new street names should ideally end with one of the following suffixes:

Street (for any thoroughfare)

Road (for any thoroughfare)

Way (for major roads)

Avenue (for residential roads)

Drive (for residential roads)

Grove (for residential roads)

Lane (for residential roads)

Gardens (for residential roads) subject to there being no confusion with any local open space

Place (for residential roads)

Crescent (for a crescent shaped road)

Close (for a cul-de-sac only)

Square (for a square only)

Hill (for a hillside road only)

Circus (for residential roads)

Vale (for residential roads, in appropriate circumstances)

Rise (for residential roads, in appropriate circumstances)

Row (for residential roads, in appropriate circumstances)

 

All new pedestrian ways should end with one of the following suffixes:

Walk

Path

Way

The use of North, East, South or West (as in North Road and South Street ) is only acceptable where the road is continuous and passes over a major junction. It is not acceptable when the road is in two separate parts with no vehicular access between the two.

The Council will avoid having two phonetically similar names within a postal area and, if possible within the Borough, for example Churchill Road and Birch Hill Road .

The use of a name which relates to people either living or those alive during living memory should be avoided if possible. Only exceptional circumstances will be given consideration and justification will be required as well as the consent of either the person concerned or their family

Providing Postcodes

Harborough District Council is not responsible for issuing new postcodes When an approved address is agreed by all parties, Royal Mail will confirm a Postcode, however they will not issue a postcode for a new street or property until requested to do so by the Council. The maintenance and any future changes to this postcode are Royal Mail's responsibility.

Address Locality

Localities within the official postcode and post town address are the responsibility of Royal Mail. Where applicants object to a post town in their postal address, the Street Naming and Numbering section will advise them to consult Royal Mail, who has a procedure laid down in their code of practice by the Postal Services Commission for adding or amending the details.