PEOPLE who want to rename their home will have to pay a fee under new charges being introduced by West Wiltshire District Council.

From April 1 householders will have to pay £100 to name their home and a charge of £250 will be made to change a street name at the request of residents. The new system, which will also include charges to housing developers, is to cover costs incurred by the council in notifying external bodies such as the post office and utilities of the changes.

Councillor Rosemary Brown, the environment portfolio holder, said: "The external notifications involve a great deal of administration, and this has cost the council a lot of money in the past. "The new charges are cost based, which means that the expense of running this service is being met by the people who use it, rather than being absorbed by all council tax payers."

  • Further information about the street naming and numbering service can be found on the council's website at www.westwiltshire.gov.uk