Assigning a new postal address
After receiving a request for an address for property/properties, which currently do not have an address, the Council will first check for approved planning permission or building control approval. If this has been granted then the procedure to create a new address will commence.
The Council will not address properties without the relevant planning permissions and will only address properties once the foundations have been laid on site. The reason for this is to ensure the numbering sequence of any street is not compromised and addresses are not created in error.
Issuing an address to properties without planning permission will have no bearing on planning matters or be capable of being used in support of any planning appeal. We will still add your property to the Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) and you will still be liable for Council Tax or NNDR.
Agricultural Land
Agricultural land parcels can be added to our LLPG. They are flagged as non-postal addresses. This is to assist emergency response and create a unique record for each property for future use.
The Council will only request an official address from Royal Mail where we have an operational requirement to do so or we believe the property is being used for permanent residency. Such addresses will have to meet Royal Mail's requirements for secure delivery points.
The Council's planning enforcement team will be informed about any believed change of use of the land.
Postal Address Format
For clarification, official postal addresses always take the following format:
| Any Ltd | Company or Organisation name (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| 123 Any Street | Postal number and name of street |
| Anywhere | Locality (if applicable) |
| ANYTOWN | POST TOWN |
| DEVON | County |
| PL00 0AA | Postcode |
When an approved address is agreed by all parties, Royal Mail will confirm a postcode. The maintenance and any future changes to this Postcode are the responsibility of the Royal Mail.
Localities within an official postal address are the responsibility of Royal Mail. Where applicants object to a locality name in their address, the SNN Case Manager will advise them to consult Royal Mail, who has a procedure laid down in their code of practice by the Postal Services Commission for adding or amending locality details.
We will, however, remind applicants that postal addresses are not geographically accurate descriptions, but routing instructions for Royal Mail staff and they can and do contain names for villages, towns and cities that may be several miles away from the actual location of their property.
For further information about addresses, you are advised to read the Royal Mail's guidance, which can be found on their website.