Identification info

Alternative title

NRS Postcode Extract

Metadata Language

English

Character set

UTF8

Dataset Reference Date (Creation)

2016-03-01

Dataset Reference Date (Revision)

2025-02-13

Identifier

www.nrscotland.gov.uk / NRS_SPD_PostcodeBdry

Maintenance and update frequency

Biannually

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

• Statistical units

GEMET - Concepts, version 2.4

• statistical data

IPSV Subjects List

• Boundaries

• Postcodes

Limitations on Public Access

Other restrictions

Other constraints

No limitations to public access

Use constraints

Other restrictions

Other constraints

This dataset is being made available for your personal, non-commercial use under the terms of the INSPIRE End User Licence because it includes Ordnance Survey (OS) Licensed data. By viewing and or downloading this dataset you will have been deemed to have accepted the terms of this licence. You may not sub-license, distribute, sell or otherwise make available any part of this dataset to third parties (including others within your business), except where expressly authorised in writing by us (the Licensor) and OS (for example, by having a valid licence for the data used in the creation of this dataset).

Other constraints

Where re-use is permitted, the following attribution statements from us must be incorporated into the form of any other required acknowledgement needed to be used under that authorisation: © Crown copyright and database rights (insert year) (organisation covered by Crown copyright) – i.e. “© Crown copyright and database rights (insert year) National Records of Scotland”.

Other constraints

For more information, PSGA members should look at the public sector licensing guidance at https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/business-government/public-sector-geospatial-agreement or contact OS via https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/contact-us.

Other constraints

INSPIRE End User Licence

Spatial representation type

Vector

Denominator

1250

Topic category

• Boundaries

Code

S92000003

Additional information

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/geography-products/geography-policies-and-information-notes/

 

Code

EPSG:4258

Code

EPSG:27700

Distribution Information

 

Data quality info

Quality Scope

Dataset

Statement

National Records of Scotland (NRS) Geography first began plotting postcode boundaries in 1973. The Post Office (as it was at that time) assigned addresses to postcodes and NRS Geography staff manually traced the boundaries around the addresses using Ordnance Survey (OS) 1:10,000 and 1:50,000 maps to reference the boundary lines. Current digital boundaries are created with ESRI’s ArcGIS platform, delineating a notional boundary around address content of a live small user postcode utilising real world features depicted in Ordnance Survey’s MasterMap® product.

NRS Postcode boundaries are based on the Postal Address File (PAF®) received from Royal Mail® . This data is provided to NRS Geography on a quarterly basis and provide details of new and deleted postcodes. This information is augmented by information from local authorities (e.g. new development plans). Using all available data, the Geography Branch digitisers plot the changes to the dataset. Ordnance Survey also provides quarterly updates of its ADDRESS-POINT® product. NRS Geography uses this product to check the postcodes, amending any as required.

Postcode boundaries are subject to continuous change due to new addresses, single addresses acquiring large user postcodes as mail volume increases (e.g. business addresses), and the need to restrict the number of addresses per unit to less than 100. This dataset is formally issued twice a year as part of National Records of Scotland’s Scottish Postcode Directory (SPD). In addition to postcode geographies, the SPD contains a database detailing the higher geographies that each postcode is assigned to.

Note the published version of the SPD does not include Royal Mail information on Delivery Point Count (DPC), Delivery Point Count Non-Residential (DPCNR) or Household Count (HC). Those interested in this information should enquire with NRS Geography Customer Services.

For more information please visit the Geography policies and information notes page of the NRS website https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/geography-products/geography-policies-and-information-notes/ or contact NRS Geography Customer Services.

 

Metadata

File identifier

6792f3c6-eae4-41b3-8416-acd7f5d3f317 XML

Metadata Language

English

Resource type

Dataset

Metadata Date

2025-03-05T11:24:25.375Z

Metadata standard name

UK GEMINI

Metadata standard version

2.3