The role of GeoPlace

GeoPlace receives over 5,000 update files per month from local authorities in England and Wales. Across local authorities as a whole, there are around 2 million records modified and sent to GeoPlace each month.

Once the records are received from local authorities, GeoPlace undertakes a large data validation exercise testing the incoming LLPG and LSG data against the Data Transfer Format (DTF) and the Data Entry Conventions (DEC) specifications. Both NLPG and NSG are then compared against each other to highlight any street record anomalies. A series of 500 health checks are also carried out on the two datasets. Further checks are carried out on logical data consistency, classification and address mismatches between the NLPG, Ordnance Survey, Valuation Office Agency and Royal Mail's Postcode Address File (PAF) to form the National Address Gazetteer Database based upon the use of the UPRN and USRN.

By taking data from multiple sources; local authorities, Ordnance Survey, Royal Mail and the Valuation Office Agency and validating it against each other, GeoPlace can be confident that change intelligence on the ground is captured. The role of the local authorities is particularly important in this area. Whilst GeoPlace undertakes the 'data crunching' the local authorities verify any anomalies in their area.

GeoPlace manages all the activities relating to the National Address Gazetteer Database which enables Ordnance Survey to then fulfil its role as the sole distributor of the AddressBase products.