Street naming and building numbering

Street naming and building numbers in Belfast

We are responsible for the naming of streets and numbering of properties in Belfast. Developers, architects and estate agents can apply to us to name new streets. It's important that naming and numbering of streets is carried out at an early stage in a new development so that the new homeowners have the correct address when they move in. When the streets are officially named and numbered, we tell all relevant organisations. 

Street naming

When do I need to make an application for a new street? 

You need to make an application to us when the development starts on site if there will be a new public road leading into the development. 

Who makes the application to Building Control? 

The application for a new street can be made by the developer, architect, builder, housing association or (on very rare occasions) residents living in an unnamed street. 

What documentation is required for a valid application for a new street name?

You need to complete an application form giving a first, second and third choice for the street names. You should provide the reason for the proposed names, for example a link to the local history or geography of the area. You should provide:

• two site location maps which can be either A4 or A3 size indicating the start and end of the road
• two site layout maps showing the arrangement of the houses and their site numbers (these are numbers for the buildings on site and are not the property numbers)
• the internal layout showing the entrances, floor levels and site numbers (if the development contains apartments)

Maintaining street signs 

When a street is created in a new development, the new street name signs are provided by the property developer to council specifications. We take responsibility for maintaining the street name signs. 

Building numbering

Why do we number buildings? 

Building numbering affects everyday life in our city. Building numbering, as well as street naming, have to be provided by law and, when made correctly, provide an easy method for identifying places for people who live here and also for visitors and people who work in the city. They also assist the easy identification of premises by emergency services, postal services and utility providers. 

How are buildings numbered?

Individual properties built on plots of land or existing buildings converted into new units will be numbered into the existing relevant street. If there is not a sequential number available, we will use the addition of letters (for example 2a). We will notify you of the numbering allocation we choose for your property. 

Properties (including those on corner sites) are numbered according to the street in which the main entrance is located. We will not manipulate the numbering of a building to give it a prestige address or to avoid an address which is thought to have undesired associations. 

Apartments are numbered not lettered, for example Flat 2, 21 Smith Street (not Flat A, 21 Smith Street), as letters are used for infill sites (a house or development which is built in the gap between previously erected properties).

We have no powers to name a house or building. We, together with the emergency services, do not favour building names alone; a number easily identifies the relative location of a property in the street and is favoured by us and the emergency services.

Where a property has a number, it must be used and displayed. Normally it should be placed so that it can be easily read from the public highway. 

Dual language street signs

You can request a dual language street sign if you are:

• an occupier of the street who is registered on the electoral role,
• an elected member who represents that District Electoral Area or
• a developer.

When we receive an application request for a dual language sign, this will undergo an initial assessment before being considered for a survey of occupants registered on the electoral roll.

If 15 per cent or more of occupants within a street or road want to have a dual language sign, we will provide a report to the People and Communities Committee.

If an occupier does not respond to our survey, the non-reply will not be considered to be against the application. 

If the People and Communities Committee approve the request for a dual language street sign, we will put it forward for approval at the monthly council meeting.

If the request is approved at the monthly council meeting we will arrange to have a sign manufactured and erected. 

How to apply for a dual language street sign 

You can apply online for a dual language street sign. Applications received before 9 September 2022 are currently being processed. You don't need to re-apply.

Apply for a dual language street sign (link opens in new window)

Or, you can request and return completed application forms:

• by email BCduallanguage@belfastcity.gov.uk 
• by calling 028 9027 0650
• in person at Cecil Ward Building, 4 to 10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP

Dual language street sign applications

Status of applications (under the new policy)

Last updated: Thursday 21 March 2024

• Applications processed: 132
• Applications pending: 783
• Number of individual streets in pending applications: 550

Dual language street signs approved

The streets listed were approved for dual language street signs by full Council on the date indicated.

• 2024
  • March 2024

    Street	Language	Translation
    Cranmore Gardens	Irish	Gairdíní an Chrainn Mhóir
    Stewartstown Mews	Irish	Eachlann Bhaile Stíobhaird
    Mountainview Parade	Irish	Paráid Radharc an tSléibhe
    Mountainview Gardens	Irish	Gairdíní Radharc an tSléibhe
    Bingnian Drive	Irish	Céide Shliabh Binneáin
    Mizen Gardens	Irish	Gairdíní Charn Uí Néid
    Dermott Hill Road	Irish	Bóthar Chnoc Dhiarmada
    Marcus Ward Street	Irish	Sráid Mharcais Mhic an Bhaird

  • February 2024

    Street	Language	Translation
    Mount Eagles Glen	Irish	Gleann Chnocán na nIolar
    Emersons Lane	Irish	Lána Emerson
    Dunblane Avenue	Irish	Ascaill Dhún Bhláthain
    Floral Gardens	Irish	Na Gairdíní Bláthacha
    Cardigan Drive	Irish	Céide Chairdeagain
    Thornberry Road	Irish	Bóthar Thornberry
    Mill Valley Way	Irish	Bealach Ghleann an Mhuilinn

    ---

  • January 2024

    Street	Language	Translation
    Dermott Hill Parade	Irish	Paráid Chnoc Dhiarmada
    Sunnyhill Park	Irish	Páirc Chnoc na Gréine
    Knock Eden Park	Irish	Páirc Chnoc Éadain
    Fruithill Court	Irish	Cúirt Chnoc na dTorthaí
    Tullymore Gardens	Irish	Gairdíní na Tulaí Móire
    Pineview Road	Irish	Bóthar Radharc na Giúise
    Hawthorn View	Irish	Radharc na Sceiche

• 2023
  • December 2023

    Street	Language	Translation
    Ligoniel Place	Irish	Plás Lag an Aoil
    Mountainhill Road	Irish	Bóthar Chnoc an tSléibhe
    Norfolk Parade	Irish	Paráid Norfolk
    Ladybrook Grove	Irish	Garrán Shruthán na Bantiarna
    Greenan	Irish	An Grianán
    Alliance Avenue	Irish	Ascaill an Chomhaontais

  • November 2023

    Street	Language	Translation
    Cavanmore Gardens	Irish	Gairdíní an Chabháin Mhóir
    Wolfhill Gardens	Irish	Gairdíní Chnoc an Mhactíre
    Wolfhill Link	Irish	Nasc Chnoc an Mhactíre
    Millview Court	Irish	Cúirt Radharc an Mhuilinn
    Westrock Crescent	Irish	Corrán na Carraige Thiar
    Gransha Way	Irish	Bealach na Gráinsí
    The Manor	Irish	An Mainéar

  • October 2023

    Street	Language	Translation
    Stockmans Drive	Irish	Céide Mhic Giolla Stoic
    Whiterock Gardens	Irish	Gairdíní na Carraige Báine
    Dermott Hill Drive	Irish	Céide Chnoc Dhiarmada
    Dermott Hill Park	Irish	Páirc Chnoc Dhiarmada
    Linview Court	Irish	Cúirt Radharc an Lín
    Thornberry Glen	Irish	Gleann Thornberry
    Black Ridge View	Irish	Radharc Dhuibhise

  • September 2023

    Street	Language	Translation
    Mica Drive	Irish	Céide an Mhíoca
    Coolnasilla Park South	Irish	Páirc Chúil na Saileach Theas
    Haypark Avenue	Irish	Ascaill Pháirc an Fhéir
    Eliza Street Terrace	Irish	Ardán Sráid Eilíse
    Friendly Street	Irish	Sráid na gCarad
    Rossnareen Avenue	Irish	Ascaill Ros na Ríona
    St James Parade	Irish	Paráid San Séamas
    St Judes Square	Irish	Cearnóg San Iúd
    Lagmore View Road	Irish	Bóthar Radharc an Laig Mhóir
    Ashgrove Park	Irish	Páirc Gharrán na Fuinseoige
    Mill Valley Road	Irish	Bóthar Ghleann an Mhuilinn
    La Salle Park	Irish	Páirc La Salle

  • August 2023
    No information available.
  • July 2023

    Street	Language	Translation
    Orchardville Avenue	Irish	Ascaill Orchardville
    Mayfield Square	Irish	Cearnóg Ghort na Bealtaine
    Hillhead Avenue	Irish	Ascaill an Mhullaigh
    St Meryl Park	Irish	Páirc Naomh Muirgheal
    Downview Park West	Irish	Páirc Radharc an Dúin Thiar
    Chichester Avenue	Irish	Ascaill Chichester
    Ballymurphy Drive	Irish	Céide Bhaile Uí Mhurchú
    Margaretta Park	Irish	Páirc Margaretta
    Airfield Heights	Irish	Arda na hAerpháirce

  • June 2023
    No information available.
  • May 2023

    Street	Language	Translation
    Lake Glen Drive	Irish	Céide Ghleann an Locha
    Lagmore Dale	Irish	Gleanntán an Laig Mhóir
    Iris Walk	Irish	Siúlán na Seileastar
    Abyssinia Street	Irish	Sráid na hAibisíne

  • April 2023

    Street	Language	Translation
    La Salle Drive	Irish	Céide La Salle
    Hopefield Avenue	Irish	Ascaill Hopefield
    Suffolk Parade	Irish	Paráid Suffolk

  • March 2023

    Street	Language	Translation
    Ardilea Drive	Irish	Céide Ard an Lao

Gaeltacht Quarter street signs project

On 20 October 2023, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee meeting approved the erection of dual language street signs in Irish on all streets contained within the Gaeltacht Quarter. For information on this project, go to Gaeltacht Quarter street signs.