The naming and numbering of streets and buildings within West Devon is a statutory function of West Devon Borough Council and is covered by Sections 17 and 19 of the Public Health Act 1925 (which was formally adopted by the Council (Minute No. 65(a) 1975/76)) and Sections 64 and 65 of the Town Improvement Clauses Act 1847 in relation to numbering only (which was formally adopted by the Council (CM 9b(ii)).
Decisions on these matters are made and controlled by West Devon Borough Council.
The purpose of this control is to make sure that any new street names and numbers are allocated logically with a view to ensuring, amongst other things, the effective delivery of mail and that emergency services vehicles are able to locate any address to which they may be summoned.
Anyone wishing to change the name or number of their property or seeking an address for a new property or wish to change the name of an existing street should apply in writing to the Council following the procedures detailed in this policy.
As far as street naming proposals are concerned the Council encourages developers or owners to propose their own preferred names for consideration. However, it is recommended that more than one suggestion for a new name should be put forward, just in case one fails to meet the Council's criteria outlined in this policy. It is desirable that any suggested road name should have some connection with the area.
If proposals comply with the Council's Policy on Street Naming and Numbering and, for street names, do not meet with an objection from the Town/Parish Councils, the local Ward Member or the Royal Mail Address Development Centre, the new address will be formally allocated. All relevant bodies will be notified by the Council. See Appendix A for a list of those bodies informed by the Council.
To aid emergency services, the Council will endeavour to ensure that where appropriate, if a street name has street signs relating to that name, all properties accessed off it will be officially addressed to include that street name and also where appropriate, all new properties will be numbered.
