Chapter 2: Other Provision Street names Section 81: Alteration of street names: England Background
At present, local authorities in Greater London, and many local authorities outside Greater London (through choice of procedure as explained below), can alter street names without the consent of those on the street.
	In Greater London, section 6 of the London Buildings Acts (Amendment) Act 1939 (‘the 1939 Act’) allows a local authority to make a street name alteration if it thinks fit provided it has complied with certain notification requirements (one months’ notice of the intended alteration being posted in the street or delivered to all buildings on that street) and it has had regard to any objections received in response to this notification.
	Outside of Greater London, local authorities may adopt one of two alternative regimes for the alteration of street names by virtue of the Local Government Act 1972 (’The 1972 Act‘). These are set out in section 21 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907 (‘the 1907 Act‘) and section 18 of the Public Health Act 1925 Act (‘the 1925 Act‘).
	Where section 21 of the 1907 Act is adopted by a local authority, it requires two-thirds in number of the ratepayers and those liable to pay council tax in any street to have voted in favour of the street name alteration before it can be made.
	Where section 18 of the 1925 Act is adopted by a local authority, it can alter the street name by order subject to certain notification requirements (the proposed order must be posted in the street not less than one month before the alteration is made). The order can be appealed by applying to the Magistrates’ Court.
	A local authority has a choice of whether to adopt the 1925 or the 1907 Act procedure by complying with certain notice requirements (advertisement in a local newspaper and notification to any affected parish or community council). This means local authorities can easily adopt the procedure which does not require the consent of those on the street to a street name alteration.