Ipswich Borough Council is responsible for the creation of official addresses within the Ipswich Borough boundary. These addresses are held in our Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG). The Gazetteers of all local authorities are linked up to form a definitive index of land and properties in England and Wales known as the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG).

It is important that each new address is unique and avoids ambiguity to ensure that:

• Emergency services can find a property quickly
• Couriers/Royal Mail can deliver mail/parcels efficiently
• Public Utilities can carry out their duties
• Members of the public can easily find a location
• All council departments can work from on official address database

Once planning and/or building regulations applications have been approved by the Council and initial work has commenced on site you should apply for the property address by following the relevant link below.

Naming of new streets

Where a new development requires the creation of a new street, Ipswich Borough Council will consult with the developer, Portfolio Holder, ward councillors, neighbouring local authorities and Royal Mail to ensure the name is acceptable and avoids duplication with existing street names in the local area.

The Council's Street Naming and Numbering Protocol 2023 can be found here.

Numbering of new properties

For new developments and conversion of existing properties we will assign street numbering in a logical sequence according to the street layout. The general rule is that the odd numbers will be on the left hand side of the street, with even numbers on the right, starting from the most prominent street that they lead from. Where a new property has been created in an existing street, with no whole numbers available, suffixes will be used (e.g. 1A, 1B).

House names

If you wish to give your property a name, this is acceptable as long as it is used in conjunction with the street number (e.g. Rose Cottage, 1 Any Street).

Note that it is advisable to check that your chosen name is not duplicated within your street.

If you are not the owner of the property, please note that a change of name cannot be made without the owner’s permission. If the street does not have a numbering scheme, the house name will be agreed with the developer, ensuring it is not a duplication of an existing property in the street.

To add a house name to your property please apply online using the below link.

There is a charge of £30 per property for name addition requests

We will notify internal departments within the Borough Council, emergency services, utility companies and Royal Mail of the change of property address but it is your responsibility to advise any other organisations you have dealings with.

How to apply

To apply for street naming and numbering please use the online application form.

Apply for street naming and numbering

Fees

As from 1st December 2021 there will be a charge for the numbering of new properties, conversion of existing properties and for naming a property, please refer to the tables below.

Charges for changing property numbers, changing or adding a property name and renumbering a scheme

Charges for Naming/Numbering of new developments and conversion of existing properties (including notifications)

*A fee calculator will be available within the online application form which will automatically calculate the cumulative amount due.

No action will be taken until payment is made in full.

What happens once we have received your application?

Once we have received your application we will:

• Check we have all the information from you to process the application
• Check proposed street names and consult as appropriate on final proposed names
• Allocate new postal addresses as appropriate
• Send an official Street Naming/Numbering Letter to the applicant
• Notify, internal departments within the Borough Council, emergency services, utility companies and Royal Mail

Postcodes

The Council is not responsible for the allocation of postcodes, this is the responsibility of Royal Mail. If you have any problems with your postcode please contact Royal Mail direct at Royal Mail Address Maintenance Team by telephone on 03456 011110, by fax on 03456 054433 or by email at: addressmaintenance@royalmail.com

For all new developments or conversion of existing properties you will need to notify the Address Maintenance Team when completion takes place in order for them to formally release the postcode.

New, damaged or missing street name plates

If you wish to report a damaged or missing street name plate or you are a developer who wishes to order a new street name plate or any enquiries relating to street name plates please call 01473 432064 or email: sheltersandsigns@ipswich.gov.uk

For all other enquiries relating to Street Naming and Numbering please email: street.naming@ipswich.gov.uk