British Standard 7666 as a framework for geocoding land and property information the UK

Abstract

This article examines the role of British Standard 7666 in the development of a national framework for geocoding land and property information in the United Kingdom. The author assesses how local authorities, and other agencies concerned with property and address datasets, are coping with the introduction of British Standard 7666, and examines the prospects and limitations of this development. British Standard 7666 has four parts, comprising specifications for street gazetteer; land and property gazetteer; addresses; and public rights of way. The organisation coordinating the introduction of British Standard 7666, Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), is also overseeing the development and maintenance of a National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) based on British Standard 7666. The introduction of the new addressing standard has mainly been prompted by Britain's effort to set up a national cadastral service to replace the obsolescent property registration system currently in place.