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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Dual language street sign applications
Status of applications
Last updated on Wednesday 7 August 2024
- Applications processed: 225
- Numbers of streets approved: 118
- Applications pending: 924
- Number of individual streets in pending applications: 650
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
- 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 |
- 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 |
- 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 |
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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.
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