1. Aims of the policy
The naming and numbering of streets and buildings in East Devon, Teignbridge and Exeter, is controlled under the Town Improvement Clauses Act 1847. The purpose of this control is to make sure that any new street names and building names and numbers are allocated logically with a view to ensuring, amongst other things, the effective delivery of mail and that emergency service vehicles are able to locate any address to which they may be summoned.
Anyone wishing to change the name or number of their property or seeking an address for a new property should apply in writing to us following the procedures detailed in this policy.
As far as street naming proposals are concerned, the Districts are happy for developers or owners to propose street names, whereas for Exeter City Council the developer is required to forward street names for consideration. It is recommended however that more than one suggestion for a new name should be put forward just in case one fails to meet the criteria outlined in this guidance. It is desirable that any suggested road name should have some connection with the area.
If proposals comply with our Policy on Street Naming and Numbering and, for street names, do not meet with an objection in the Districts from the Town/Parish Councils or in Exeter from the Ward Councillors or Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, or the Royal Mail Address Development Centre, the new address will be formally allocated and all relevant bodies will be notified. See Schedule A for a list of those informed by us.
Problems could arise if an application for a street name is submitted at a late stage of the development and the proposed street name is rejected by the Ward Councillors or the Town or Parish Council and purchasers have bought properties marketed under an unofficial marketing title. It should always be made clear by the developer in any marketing literature distributed to prospective purchasers that marketing names for developments do not form part of an official postal address. Some occupiers could feel aggrieved by the loss of a supposedly prestigious address and its replacement with an address that falls within the Council’s guidelines as set out in this document.
Where street names or previous numbers have been established without reference to us, we have the authority to issue Renaming or Renumbering Orders, under section 64 of the Town Improvement Clauses Act.
It is possible to run a competition to find suitable road name suggestions; however Street Naming and Numbering should be contacted prior to proceeding. This is to ensure a new road name is actually necessary for the site. Once we have confirmed a competition is viable, developers and Ward Councillors for Exeter, or Town/Parish Councils for the Districts, must consult each other and confirm they are both happy to proceed. The competition must be run by whoever submits the competition request. The council must be sent a list of names considered viable to check against our criteria before a competition name is chosen. The council will not collect entries or participate in the process other than to check the viability of street names.
To aid the emergency services, we will endeavour to ensure that where appropriate, if a street has a name and has street signs relating to that name, all properties accessed from it will be officially addressed to include that street name and also where appropriate, all new properties will be numbered. This could result in a change to a Royal Mail postal code for which the council is not responsible or liable for any costs incurred.
All addresses are stored in our Local and Land Property Gazetteer (LLPG) which is to be used as the master database for all council address systems.