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Building control

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 all occupants surveyed in 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 [email protected] 
    • 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

    Last updated on Thursday 3 October 2024

    • Applications processed: 261
    • Numbers of streets approved: 134
    • Applications pending: 913
    • Number of individual streets in pending applications: 645

    Dual language street signs approved

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

    The translations have been provided by Queen's University who are our independent competent authority for translations in respect to our dual language street signs policy.

    • 2024
      • September 2024
        Street Language Translation
        Antigua Street Irish Sráid Antigua
        Brooke Close Irish Clós an tSrutháin
        Commedagh Drive Irish Céide Shliabh Coimhéideach
        Corrib Avenue Irish Ascaill Loch Coirib
        Finaghy Park North Irish Páirc an Fhionnachaidh Thuaidh
        Hazelwood Avenue Irish Ascaill na Collchoille
        Isadore Avenue Irish Ascaill San Iosadóir
        Kestrel Grange Irish Gráinseach an Phocaire Gaoithe
        Lagmore View Way Irish Bealach Radharc an Laig Mhóir 
        Mount Eagles Lane Irish Lána Chnocán na nIolar
        Ophir Gardens Irish Gairdíní Ophir
        Parkside Gardens Irish Gairdíní Thaobh na Páirce
        Salisbury Avenue Irish Ascaill Salisbury
        Slievegallion Drive Irish Céide Shliabh gCallann
      • July 2024
        Street Language Translation
        Wolfhill Avenue South Irish Ascaill Chnoc an Mhactíre Theas
        Legnavea Place Irish Plás Lag na bhFia
        Rosapenna Parade Irish Paráid Mhachaire Loiscthe
        Somerdale Gardens Irish Gairdíní Somerdale
        Whitewell Crescent Irish Corrán an Tobair Ghil
        Cliftonville Street Irish Sráid Cliftonville
        Dungloe Crescent Irish Corrán an Chlocháin Léith
        Somerton Road Irish Bóthar Somerton
        Black Ridge Green Irish Faiche Dhuibhise
        Black Ridge Walk Irish Siúlán Dhuibhise
      • June 2024
        Street Language Translation
        Meadowhill Irish Cnoc na Cluana
        Glencolin Manor Irish Mainéar Ghleann Chollainn
        Glencolin Close Irish Clós Ghleann Chollainn
        Glenveagh Park Irish Páirc Ghleann Bheatha
        Ramoan Drive Irish Céide Ráth Muáin
        Garnock Hill Irish Cnoc Ghairneoige
        Naroon Park Irish Páirc Loch na Ruán
        Laganvale Street Irish Sráid Ghleann an Lagáin
        South Parade Irish An Pharáid Theas
        Willowvale Avenue Irish Ascaill Ghleann na Sailí
        Hamill Park Irish Páirc Uí Ámaill
        Black Ridge Hill Irish Cnoc Dhuibhise
        Black Ridge Place Irish Plás Dhuibhise
      • May 2024
        Street Language Translation
        St Johns Avenue Irish Ascaill Eoin
        Tullagh Park Irish Páirc na Tulaí
        Corrina Park Irish Páirc Corrina
        Orient Gardens Irish Gairdíní an Oirthir
        Brookvale Avenue Irish Ascaill Ghleann an tSrutháin
        Oakhurst Avenue Irish Ascaill Oakhurst
        Suffolk Crescent Irish Corrán Suffolk
        Black Ridge Drive Irish Céide Dhuibhise
        Black Ridge Grange Irish Gráinseach Dhuibhise
      • April 2024
        Street Language Translation
        Tullymore Walk Irish Siúlán na Tulaí Móire
        Innisfayle Park Irish Páirc Inis Fáil
        Helens Wood Irish Coill Héilin
        Brians Well Close Irish Clós Thobar Bhriain
        Hamill Grove Irish Garrán Uí Ámaill
        Holmdene Gardens Irish Gairdíní Holmdene
        Divis Road Irish Bóthar Dhuibhise
        Owenvarragh Park Irish Páirc Abhainn Bheara
        Black Ridge Meadows Irish Cluainte Dhuibhise
        Black Ridge Manor Irish Mainéar Dhuibhise
        Black Ridge Gardens Irish Gairdíní Dhuibhise
        Black Ridge Way Irish Bealach Dhuibhise
        Black Ridge Heights Irish Arda Dhuibhise
        Black Ridge Court Irish Cúirt Dhuibhise
        Black Ridge Grove Irish Garrán Dhuibhise
      • 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

    We have approved a proposal for the erection of dual language nameplates with the second language in Irish for 301 streets within the Gaeltacht Quarter in Belfast. This followed a consultation with residents which was conducted in January 2024 and the project received approval at the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee meeting in April 2024. The list of streets approved and the translations are provided on this page. The translations have been provided by Queen's University who are our independent competent authority for translations in respect to our dual language street signs policy.

    This decision means that the normal process requiring individual applications and surveys for dual language street signs will not be required for these particular streets in the Gaeltacht Quarter.

    What happens next?

    We will be commencing a project to erect street signs in all 301 streets in June 2024 with an estimated project timescale to erect all signs within 6 months.

Streets approved for dual language street signs under the Gaeltacht Quarter Project

Contact us

For more information and advice, get in touch.

[email protected]

028 9027 0650

Building Control, Ground Floor, Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP

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