Naming and numbering of streets and buildings

The Council's authority to control the naming and numbering of streets and buildings derives from Part 2 of the London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939, the responsibility for which was transferred to the London Boroughs from the former Greater London Council by the Local Government Act 1985 (Schedule 8, 14/1).  The Council has delegated its authority to officers, except where disputes with applicants cannot be resolved by negotiation, or where enforcement may be necessary.

The purpose of controlling street and building names and numbers is to ensure that the address of each property in the borough is unique, unambiguous and logical, thus facilitating the correct delivery of mail and enabling visitors, especially public service personnel, to quickly locate the address they seek.  This is particularly important when Doctors, Ambulances or Fire Appliances have been called out in an emergency, as any delay caused by confusion over the address could put lives at risk.

Guidelines on the Council's naming and numbering criteria are available.  These are based on guidance notes that were formulated over a number of years by the Greater London Council and adopted as policy by London Borough of Hackney  when the function was transferred.  They incorporate the current recommendations of the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority. Minor deviations from these criteria are occasionally allowed, but only where it is considered that the "public safety" objectives in the preceding paragraph are not negated.

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Page updated: 15 Oct 2008