Bumble Hole, Netherton
01384 812345 
Naming of new streets and numbering of properties
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The Council is responsible for the naming and numbering of new streets, and the changing/reallocation of individual property addresses.
Naming of New Streets
Naming of new streets is carried out under Section 17 Public Health Act 1925
When a new housing development is built, the responsibility for naming new streets rests with the Council who have an approved policy for road naming which is:-
- The name(s) will have a proven historical connection to the land intended for development.
- It will not be a persons name unless there is a historical connection to the land intended for development.
- The names will not be the same or similar to any existing names in the borough
- If the development contains a new network of streets a theme may be chosen.
- If no suitable historical name can be found to the land then adjacent area may be utilized.
Suggestions for road names may be submitted by the developer for consideration.
To prevent new road names which are close to, and may conflict with those in adjoining Boroughs, the Royal Mail will be consulted.
The emergency services prefer this method for naming new roads as they know there is only one road with that name within the Dudley MBC area.
Developers or interested parties wishing to consult the Council with suggestions for road names should contact us through the information provided below.
Postal Numbering
Postal numbering is carried out under Section 64 of the Towns Improvement Clauses Act 1847
The Council is responsible for the numbering of new properties. Numbers are allocated to enable easy and rapid location of buildings by both routine and emergency callers, on the following basis:
- At Dudley M.B.C. a house number is the preferred option but where this is not practical house names are issued.
- Where properties have a name and no number the Council does have the power to create numbering schemes and make residents use house numbers. However this power is not used very often.
- Emergency services prefer a numbering system.
- Any change of number / name of a property can only be authorized by the Council.
- Royal Mail and all statutory undertakers i.e. Electricity, Gas, Water and Telephone together with the Emergency Services, Land Registry, Electoral Registration, and the Council Tax Section are then advised of the new addresses.
For further information please contact us through the information provided below. (Please enclose a location plan to enable identification of your property).
Building Numbers
Numbering is carried out in many different ways but the most popular are:
- As you enter a development - odds on left, evens on right
- If small development, they can be numbered consecutively e.g. 1- 8.
- If one or more dwellings are built between two others usually a suffix of "a"”b” “c” etc. is added to the number
- Blocks of flats and apartments may be given a NAME with each dwelling
- Numbered consecutivelyShort culs-de-sac usually have consecutive numbering whilst through roads and longer culs-de-sac have an odds and evens scheme ascending away from the town centre.
House Names
The allocation of a house name may be permitted but where a numbering scheme is in place it would be an addition to that number and not a replacement. In such cases there is a requirement to request authorization from the Council . Please note that the original number should always be displayed on the property, and quoted within your address on all correspondence, for example:
Rose Cottage
2 The High Street
Dudley
Post code
2 The High Street
Dudley
Post code
When considering a name for your property contact the council to find out if the preferred name is already in use in the immediate area.
Post Code
Having established the address up to the postal town we then consult the Royal Mail, which is responsible for allocation of the full postcode and having received that we inform the developer or householder as appropriate.
In the case of developments in existing roads where no new street name is required, or in existing roads where there are no street numbers, the owner in consultation with the council may be allowed to choose the house name.
To check on a post code either telephone 01743 277249 or visit the Royal Mail web page
Dispatch of Information
Beyond the house builder or occupier of property we have a list of interested parties who need address information. This includes not just other areas of the Council but the emergency services, statutory undertakers, and utility companies. These people receive a list of new and amended postal addresses when ever issued
© 2005 - 2008 Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Council House, Priory Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1HF