Street naming and numbering

Wirral Council is the Street Naming and Numbering Authority for the area. It carries out these functions under the provisions of Sections 64 and 65 of the Towns Improvement Clauses Act 1847 (for numbering of properties and street naming), Section 21 of the Public Health Act Amendment Act 1907 (for alteration of names of streets), and Sections 17, 18 and 19 of the Public Health Act of 1925.

No other organisations have legislative powers to create or change postal addresses within the borough. Individuals and developers must not allocate their own house numbers, building or street names.

From 1 January 2019, Wirral Council introduced its new policy document alongside a scheme of charges for its Street Naming and Numbering service - details of which can be obtained below.

Why is street naming and numbering important?

The address of a property is important as many organisations, postal, emergency services and the general public need an efficient means of locating and referencing properties.

If a property is not ‘registered’ through the street naming and numbering process it will not appear on the main address database and the owner/occupier will encounter difficulties in obtaining mail, goods and services from a variety of sources (e.g. applying for a credit card, or purchasing goods by mail order).

The main address database is used by the council, Royal Mail, all statutory undertakers, emergency services, credit agencies, satellite navigation system suppliers and many private companies.

Who should apply?

Any developer or person(s) proposing to carry out any of the following:

• the construction of a new road and residential or commercial development
• the construction of a building or buildings residential or commercial fronting an existing road
• the construction of a building or buildings within the curtilage of an existing property
• the conversion of a dwelling or building into two or more units
• change of property name or number
• renumbering of a new development at the request of the developer
• renaming of an existing street or naming of an existing un-named road

How to apply for a street name or postal number

1. Read the Street Naming and Numbering Policy for guidance (PDF, 864MB)
2. Complete the application form (PDF, 440KB)
3. Attach the following documentation with your submission:

For individual properties, include a location plan showing:

• where the property is
• the entrance to the property
• any streets around the property

For housing developments include a location plan showing:

• the development in relation to existing streets and means of access
• a detailed plan of the development clearly marked with plot numbers
• for flats or apartments an internal layout plan with the main entrances clearly marked

4. Submit your application via one of the following ensuring that the correct fee is paid by either card payment over the phone or by cheque payable to Wirral Council.

• apply by email: buildingcontrol@wirral.gov.uk, or
• apply by post:
  Street Naming and Numbering Officer
  Economic and Housing Growth Directorate
  PO Box 290
  Brighton Street
  Wallasey
  CH27 9FQ

Fees and charges (with effect from 1 October 2023)

• VAT is not applicable to these charges
• Charges do not include cost of any amendments required to Traffic Orders, Advertisement and so on
• Charges do not include for the creation and erection of street name plates

Data Protection: All information provided will be processed in accordance with relevant legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulations 2018. Information collected will only be used for the purposes of administering your application. Your information will not be disclosed to a third party without your consent unless we are required to do so by law.