Street Naming & Numbering
The City Council has a statutory duty for the implementation of Street Naming and Numbering. This is achieved in consultation with the Royal Mail, Property Developers and other interested parties.
The provision and maintenance of Street Nameplates within the City is also carried out by the City Council.
The City Council can be contacted by telephoning 01243 788502 or email streetnaming@chichestercity.gov.uk
There are fees involved in the Street Naming and Numbering process, please see the list of charges below :
Street Naming and Numbering
Street Naming & Numbering is a statutory function of Local Authorities under the powers of various Acts including Sections 17 and 18 of the Public Health Act 1925.
Chichester City Council is responsible for the allocation of postal addresses for the City of Chichester area, under delegated powers from Chichester District Council. This is for all commercial and residential developments and includes house and building name changes.
The City Council liaises with Royal Mail and, once agreed and confirmed the Council will inform the Emergency Services and all Chichester District Council services of any new or amended addresses. It may take at least six months for name changes and new addresses to appear on databases of other companies and organisations over which we have no control.
Changing, Adding or Removing a Property Name
If your property has a name and not a number and you wish to change the name you have to obtain approval from Chichester City Council. The reason for this is to make sure that the name isn’t already being used by anyone else in the area which could cause difficulties for the Emergency Services and Royal Mail in locating the property. You should note that the change of your property name will not be automatic but will depend on whether there is already a property with a similar name in the area. For this reason you are asked to supply a choice of three names.
If your property has a number and you wish to add a name (an alias), this number cannot be taken away from the address. You may also request to remove a name if you already have a number as well.
To request any of these changes please download, complete and return the following form :
We do allow 30 days to complete the process, however as long as there are no complications this may be quicker.
Registering a New Dwelling or Development
Single Dwelling
An application should be made as soon as work begins on site with a block plan (preferably an electronic version) showing the location and access (delivery) point to the property. A number will then be allocated to the property by the Street Naming & Numbering Officer and an application will be sent to the Royal Mail to register the new address.
Once confirmation of the address has been received from Royal Mail the City Council will inform the Emergency Services and all District Council services. A formal letter together with a plan and numbering schedule will be sent to the applicant.
Development of 2 or more Properties
All new developments need to be given an official address. The process for registering a new development is as follows:
- An application should be made as soon as work begins on site, with a site plan (preferably an electronic version) showing road layouts plot numbers and access points to the properties. Where flats are being registered, floor layouts must be provided showing access to each flat.
- It is a statutory requirement that Chichester City Council Planning & Conservation Committee be consulted and approves the name and numbering before it is allocated and this process takes 28 days.The Planning & Conservation Committee may recommend an alternative naming and numbering scheme if it is not happy to approve the developer’s application.
- Information is then sent to Royal Mail and the postcode is allocated although at this stage the addresses are only entered on the ‘Not Yet Built’ register by Royal Mail and will not be activated until physical completion of the properties is confirmed. It is the responsibility of the developer to advise and update the City Council of completion dates for new addresses.
- Once the address(es) and postcode(s) have been received from Royal Mail the City Council will inform the Emergency Services and all Chichester District Council services. A formal letter together with a plan and numbering schedule will be sent to the Developer.
Guidelines for Developers
Numbering of properties will be used at all times to enable easy identification of the property. Only in very exceptional cases will house names be considered. Where a new property is built in an already numbered street, the new property will also be given a number. If a large number of houses or flats are being registered or further information is required, please contact us.
Please Note : Chichester District Council is responsible for all Street Naming and Numbering queries (including street nameplates) for the wider Chichester District area outside of the City Centre. Please contact them directly if your query falls within this area.
To make an application for Street Names and Numbering for a new development please download, complete and return the following form :
Street Nameplates
The City Council is responsible for ensuring that the name of every street is clearly marked using suitable street nameplates. This is a duty under the Public Health Act 1925 and the City Council has powers to place street nameplates on private properties if required.
Please Note : In the case of a new development it is the developer who is responsible for the erection of nameplates to the City Council’s specification.
On average it will take 6-8 weeks from a request being made to the sign being erected. House numbers must also be displayed so they can be clearly read from the roadside and this applies to any names that form part of the address as well.
All street nameplates for new developments and replacement signs in the City will bear the City Coat of Arms which adds a sense of identity to the area and is an attractive and useful feature.
Missing or Damaged Street Nameplates
If you have a query or would like to report a missing or damaged street nameplate, please email streetnaming@chichestercity.gov.uk and, if possible, attach a photograph.
Please Note : Chichester District Council is responsible for all street nameplate queries for the wider district area outside of the City Centre. Please contact them directly if your query is outside of the City Centre.
“The Street Names of Chichester”
The City Council has published the book ‘A History of Chichester in 500 Street Names’. This is a revised and updated edition of “Street Names of Chichester”, originally produced by Kenneth Green in 1996. The book, which groups names in themed sections, provides an insight in to how many street names came about, together with a brief history of their origins where known.
The ‘A History of Chichester in 500 Street Names’ book is available from the Council House, North Street priced £5. Alternatively, email administration@chichestercity.gov.uk to ask about postal ordering.