Charnwood Borough Council

In addition to providing names for new roads, the Council also provides a naming service for cycleways, footpaths and parks. This helps to provide an identity and co-ordination between the many such routes and places that are being created in Charnwood.

An outline of the Council's formal policy on providing names to streets, cycleways, footpaths and parks is available at Street Naming Policy at Downloads.

In determining new names, the Council acts under the provisions of Section 18 of the Public Health Act 1925. Before making any such decision however, the Council, will first of all write to the developer of the site, the Parish Council where applicable, and various other bodies and people who may wish to offer any particular suggestions.

When all suggestions for new names have been received, these are considered along with any others that may be relevant for the particular case, or have previously been put forward but not used.

The process of Street Naming often offers an ideal opportunity to commemorate worthy individuals, former industries and other themes that were associated with the locality. This is where the input of people with local knowledge is particularly useful. In assigning new names however, the Council has to ensure that an address is created that will not cause confusion or mis-spelling, is unique, and will be unlikely to offend anyone. It is often unfortunate that a name that would be ideal in commemorating something or someone relevant to the area cannot be used because it does not satisfy one of these criteria.

Once a decision has been made on the name to be used, the Council will consult Royal Mail and the Emergency Services to ensure that the new name does not present any difficulties for the delivery of those services. If no objections are received, the Council is then obliged to advertise the proposed name at the site itself and also advise that any person who objects may appeal to a magistrates’ court.

Upon completion of these processes, the Council will arrange with the site developer for street name plates indicating the new name to be erected.