Postal Numbering and Street Nameplates

The Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions (Northern Ireland) Order 1991

The Council is responsible for the allocation of postal numbers to all houses and buildings within their district and approving the naming of roads and streets including housing developments and commercial developments. The Council is also responsible for erecting single language, dual language and replacement street nameplates.

Guidelines for Making Application for Development Naming:

For housing developments, apartments and industrial estates, the developer or architect should apply in writing to the Council’s Licensing Section for naming and numbering of the development.

Developers/applicants are required to submit:

• The suggested name(s) for the street/development - with one alternative if possible.
• Reason(s) for the proposed name and how this proposal satisfies against the agreed Council criteria.
• Site Location Map and Site Layout Plan of the development preferably in JPEG format.

• The proposed name, site location map and site layout plan should be emailed to licensing@nmandd.org

Development Naming Criteria:

To maintain the rich cultural heritage of the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, in naming a street the criteria below must be followed: -

1. Shall express the name in English. 
2. Reflect the local townland name, or a local geographical/topographical feature or social, or historical feature.
3. Shall not incorporate a person’s name unless it is in keeping with the point (2) above.
4. The prefix of the name can only be the same as an existing street or road name prefix in the locality if it is accessed from that street or road.
5. To avoid confusion over addresses the name should not sound similar to an existing street or road name in that locality. 
6. Although not prescriptive or exhaustive the running order/hierarchy should follow an easily understood pattern: -  Road / Street / Avenue / Drive / View / Lane / Close / Alley

Developers are reminded that it is important to submit proposals for development naming to the Council as early as possible in the process. 

Additional Information:

• Only the approved name should be used for any advertising or marketing purposes.
• For ease of process, site numbering should follow conventional postal numbering i.e. odds on right and even numbers on left 
• Developers should advise occupiers and selling agents that site numbers are not to be used as postal numbers.
• Small developments i.e. less than 20 may be numbered consecutively, if no additional phases are being added to the development.
• Large developments to be numbered in phases.
• The Council should be notified of all layout changes for re-numbering.
• A copy of the postal numbering layout plan should be kept in the site office.
• Selling Agents should be provided with a copy of the Postal Numbering layout plan.

Developers are advised to contact Royal Mail just prior to the occupation of each of new dwelling to request for each new address to be moved onto their current postal address file, as they keep all new development addresses on their Not Yet Built file until each property is ready for occupation.

Royal Mail can be updated at: http://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/update-your-address

Naming of Roads

Where a resident of an existing road wishes to have the road name changed, the resident may apply to the council to conduct a survey of the residents of that road for consent to name. Any proposal for naming should follow the criteria for Development Naming outlined above.

The renaming or renumbering of existing streets will normally only be considered upon receipt of a petition, signed by not less than 50% of the residents of a street/road to change the name.

Numbering of New Single Site Developments

Postal numbering of individual properties forms part of the Building Control application process. Architects/Agents/Applicants should ensure that the site location map and site layout plan are submitted with the building control application.

Owners/Occupiers are advised to notify Royal Mail once their property is ready for occupation, as failure to do so may result in problems with mail delivery.

Royal Mail can be contacted at: http://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/update-your-address

Issue/Confirmation of Postal Addresses

Where a postal address issue is required for an agricultural building or confirmation of a postal address is required, applications should be made in writing to the Council’s Licensing Section.

The following should be submitted:

• Full name, address and contact details of person(s) making the application
• Reason(s) for request in relation to the issue/confirmation of postal address
• Site location map showing the location of the premises
• Site plan showing the layout of the site
• Proof of ownership of the property and/or utility bill in the applicant’s name, where applicable
• Confirmation of Planning Approval, where applicable

Third parties requesting confirmation of postal address must submit their request in writing to the Council with the relevant documentation listed above with a fee of £35.

Under legislation each house or building is required to display the correct postal number, to assist Emergency Services and Delivery Services to locate the correct premises. Failure to do so may lead to delay for Emergency Services and may result in legal action being taken and a fine of up to £2,500.

For postcode queries please visit Royal Mail’s website Postcode and Address Finder

Street Nameplates

The Council is responsible for erecting single language, dual language and replacement nameplates. The Council promotes the use of the townland name within the street nameplate.

To report a damaged street nameplate, email licensing@nmandd.org along with the details of the location of the damaged street nameplate.

Dual Language Nameplates

In line with the Council’s Bilingualism Policy, the Council will promote the inclusion of the Irish language in street nameplates

Criteria for the Dual-Language Nameplates Requests:

• in line with the Council’s Bilingualism Policy, the Council will promote the inclusion of the Irish language in street nameplates while having regard of any views on the matter expressed by occupiers of the street.
• a resident of any street may request in writing a dual language nameplate for that street. Any request must be submitted to the Council’s Licensing Section
• an elected member can submit a request for a dual language nameplate on behalf of residents in their electoral area.  Elected members shall provide the name and address of the resident(s) who they are submitting the request on behalf of.

Where a simple majority of responding residents have indicated that they are in favour of the erection of a dual-language street nameplate, a proposal will be presented to the Director of the Economy, Regeneration and Tourism Department for consideration recommending that the dual-language street nameplate is erected. 

Further information and assistance can be obtained from:

Contact Details

Telephone: 0330 137 4030
Email: licensing@nmandd.org