Street naming and numbering, and property addresses

Apply for a new street name

Street names and numbers are vital elements of every location. The process of street naming and numbering is important as it ensures that addresses are logical and consistent and helps to identify and find specific places. 

It is essential that both residential and commercial properties have an official, recognised address.

It enables:

  • emergency and care services to find a property quickly
  • mail and goods to be delivered efficiently
  • utility companies to provide necessary services
  • visitors to find where they want to go

In selecting a new street name, consideration will be given to the history of the site. Community Councils will be consulted in the first instance. 

If the relevant Community Council is in abeyance or not formed, then the responsibility falls to Local Councillors and the Ward Manager to take to the relevant Committee.

Applications for naming individual houses, streets and developments should be sought at the earliest possible stage. We recommend an application to register a new street name is submitted as soon as planning permission has been granted. 

To ensure the street name is determined as quickly as possible, include a proposed street name following the guidance below. There is a charge for this service which is reviewed annually with any fee increase taking effect from 1 April each year.

When completing the online form, include a site and layout plan of the development along with your suggestions for street or block names, and make payment of the relevant fee to avoid any delays in the processing of your application. Initial payment is for the number of properties only.

We will contact you once the number of streets has been determined, at which point an additional fee will be applicable.

Register a new street name

After you apply

We aim to process requests within two months. Your proposals will be considered by the appropriate Community Council and Local Councillors. When a decision has been made, the agreed names will be recorded by us and Royal Mail as the official postal address and we will inform you. We will also notify Ordnance Survey, the emergency services, Assessors and Electoral Registration Office.

The timescale of two months may not always be feasible due to the scheduling of the Community Council meetings. If a Community Council is not formed or is in abeyance, the decision will be made by Ward Managers. This timescale may be extended if there is no agreement by all parties.

Guidance on street naming

We are responsible for the naming of new streets within our boundary. The following guidance offers advice on what is acceptable and what is not when it comes to naming streets.

Gaelic

We have a statutory Gaelic Language Plan supporting the development of the language. This plan encourages the adoption of Gaelic names for new streets and developments using local historical and cultural connections.

We will translate names, with street name signs being bilingual.

Themes

In the case of a new development featuring multiple named roads, incorporating a theme can be fitting. This allows for words associated with the chosen theme.

A suitable theme can be discovered through local historical or cultural ties, encompassing subjects such as history, geography, or nature. Additionally, an existing Gaelic name for a particular area or locality can provide thematic opportunities.

Examples may include:

  • Scottish Engineers - Telford Street, Stevenson Way, Arrol Place, Baird Avenue
  • Local features or names - Sealladh Càrn Eilrig (Carn Elrig view), Cèarn MhicPheadrais (Patterson Place), Clobhsa nan Cuaraidhean (Quarriers Close)
  • Trees (Birch, Oak, Cedar, Ash)
  • Scottish Cities (Stirling, Melrose, Perth)
  • Hills - Ben Wyvis Drive, Ben Macdui Close

The use of Stem names is not acceptable. This is where a distinctive name is followed by a range of suffix extensions for example. Castle Drive, Castle Crescent, Castle Avenue, Castle Road.

The emergency services have expressed their concern regarding this naming style, as it can lead to confusion when responding to incidents.

We advise you not to use the name of a person who is currently alive.

Street suffixes

Recommended suitable suffix terms and their usage

  • Street or Sràid and Road or Rathad - generally used for a main thoroughfare
  • Drive or Slighe, Grove or Doire, Lane or Caolraid, Place or Ceàrn, Gardens or Gàrradh, View or Sealladh - generally within a residential scheme
  • Avenue or Craobhraid - generally straight with trees
  • Crescent or Corran - for curved residential roads
  • Court or Cùirt - space surrounded by or enclosed by buildings
  • Close or Clobhsa, or Vennel or Aisir - short (generally pedestrian accessed) and enclosed by buildings
  • Walk or Ceum, Path or Stairean, or Way or Bealach - access for pedestrians only
  • Terrace or Barraid - row of houses along top or face of a street
  • Brae or Bruthach, or Hill or Cnoc - street on a steep incline

Localities

There is no authoritative definition of "localities" across Scotland.

Where a development lies in an area that would be better identified using a locality - the use of this in the address will be considered by the Corporate Address Gazetteer (CAG) Team alongside existing adjacent addresses in the area.

Within most areas where street naming is required, localities are rarely used. Where a new locality is required to be created Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba or Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland will be consulted to ensure Gaelic locality names are encouraged.

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