Street Naming and Numbering

We are responsible for making sure streets are named and properties are numbered.

But you can change an existing address or create an address for a new property.

View our Street Naming and Numbering Policy

What type do you need?

Resident - add or change a name

You can add or change a name on your property if you are the owner/householder.

The name can only be used in addition to your number, which must always be displayed. For example, "The Cottage", 1 The High Street.

When you apply, let us know the full postal address with the proposed name.

If we don't accept the name, we will ask for an alternative.

If we accept the name, we will let you know and inform the Royal Mail.

Notification is also sent to organisations including the emergency services, Land Registry and our other departments like Planning, Council Tax, Electoral Services and Street Services.

If you have difficulties receiving post, you must contact Royal Mail.

Resident - new build property

If you have moved into a new build property and experienced difficulties with organisations claiming that your address doesn't exist, it could be because we weren't informed about the original development.

To register your address, apply to us and we'll process it.

Please note that the process of allocating a postcode can take up to 6-8 weeks.

Developers - new single property

The developer contacts our street naming and numbering service with the approved planning application number and building regulation reference as soon as work begins on site.

Failure to do so could have an impact on receiving deliveries and post on site, connecting to utility companies and emergency services responses.

Once we have been contacted with the application documents, we will start the process of naming and numbering.

If the property is located in an existing numbered street, then the next logical number is allocated. If the property is not in a numbered street, we ask the developer to suggest a name for the property.

Once planning approval and building control approval have been confirmed, and we have agreed the number or name of the property, we assign a postal address to the property and tell the Royal Mail, who assign a postcode.

A letter is then sent to the developer confirming the new address.

Notification is also sent to organisations including the emergency services, Land Registry and our other departments like Planning, Council Tax, Electoral Services and Street Services.

The process of allocating a postcode to a property can take up to 6-8 weeks.

You can't proceed with any naming or numbering scheme without our approval in writing.

Developers - new developments

The developer contacts our street naming and numbering service with the approved planning application number, building regulation reference and any suggestions for new street or development names as soon as work begins on site. If the development needs NHBC approval, a site plan should also be sent.

If the development is for 25 or more plots we recommend the site plan is broken up into phases. The postal addresses will be released phase by phase.

Failure to contact us at this stage could have an impact on receiving deliveries and post on site, connecting to utility companies and emergency services responses.

Once we have been contacted with the application documents, we will start the process of naming and numbering.

The local Town or Parish Council and Councillors are consulted on the suggested street/development names or asked to make their own suggestions.

Once planning approval and building control approval have been confirmed, and we have agreed the name of the street or development, each property is assigned a postal address and we tell the Royal Mail, who assign the postcodes.

A letter is then sent to the developer confirming the new address.

Notification is also sent to organisations including the emergency services, Land Registry and our other departments like Planning, Council Tax, Electoral Services and Street Services.

The process of allocating a postcode to a property can take up to 6-8 weeks.

You can't proceed with any naming or numbering scheme without our approval in writing.

Change a number scheme

To get a development issued with new numbering after its official address has been issued, contact us at the email address at the bottom of this page.

Street Name Plates

It's the responsibility of the developer to install new street name plates on new developments before they leave site. They also maintain them for the first year.

After this, we take responsibility. We can help with the following:

• street name plate repairs
• street name plate specifications
• street name plate production. 

If you would like us to produce the street name plates for a new development on your behalf, contact us at the email address at the bottom of this page.

What supporting documents do you need?

If you are a resident, we need to know the full postal address along with a proposed name.

If you are a developer, we will need the approved planning application number and building regulation reference. If this is for more than one plot you will also need to send us suggestions for new street or development names. If the development needs NHBC approval, a site plan should also be sent.

Fee

Check what fee is applicable

Apply

streetnaming@colchester.gov.uk