National Spatial Address Infrastructure
Encyclopedia
The National Spatial Address Infrastructure (NSAI) was a database proposed by the UK
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) on 26 May 2005 with the intention of creating a single repository of addresses for the UK. The proposal encountered numerous objections, particularly from local authorities who argued that such a repository already existed in the form of the National Land and Property Gazetteer
(NLPG). Currently proposals for the NSAI have been suspended.
Originally the NSAI was proposed as a partnership between the Improvement and Development Agency
(IDeA) and the Ordnance Survey
. As part of this process the IDeA was expected to transfer ownership of the NLPG to Ordnance Survey. However, UK local authorities, who are the creators of all addresses in the UK and are collective owners of the NLPG, expressed great alarm. This was especially emphasised by the proposal that Ordnance Survey would effectively sell back to local authorities their own data. There were also grave concerns regarding Ordnance Survey's ability or suitability to undertake such a project. Indeed, the public statement by the ODPM summarising the responses to the short consultation period stated:
The Association for Geographic Information (AGI) also had reservations at the time.
At this point in time proposals for the NSAI have been suspended, although Ordnance Survey have signalled their intention to independently develop a commercial product in competition with the NLPG.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) on 26 May 2005 with the intention of creating a single repository of addresses for the UK. The proposal encountered numerous objections, particularly from local authorities who argued that such a repository already existed in the form of the National Land and Property Gazetteer
National Land and Property Gazetteer
The National Land and Property Gazetteer is an initiative in the United Kingdom to provide a definitive and consistent address — see address — infrastructure for the whole of the UK...
(NLPG). Currently proposals for the NSAI have been suspended.
Originally the NSAI was proposed as a partnership between the Improvement and Development Agency
Improvement and Development Agency
Local Government Improvement and Development is one of the six bodies that form the Local Government Group overseen by the Local Government Association in England and Wales...
(IDeA) and the Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...
. As part of this process the IDeA was expected to transfer ownership of the NLPG to Ordnance Survey. However, UK local authorities, who are the creators of all addresses in the UK and are collective owners of the NLPG, expressed great alarm. This was especially emphasised by the proposal that Ordnance Survey would effectively sell back to local authorities their own data. There were also grave concerns regarding Ordnance Survey's ability or suitability to undertake such a project. Indeed, the public statement by the ODPM summarising the responses to the short consultation period stated:
"Whilst the Prospectus indicated that the new arrangements should be seen as being partnership based, many local authority respondents commented adversely on OS as key partners within the programme. Generally the comments indicated that local authorities did not believe that OS was suitably qualified for the role it was to perform within NSAI. The criticisms covered both capability and capacity for work on address management, pointing out the key differences between work in this area and OS’s acknowledged skills in mapping. Some responses argued that OS’s previous track record in issues relating to address management (in areas such as the NSGNSGNSG may stand for:*National Security Guards *National Street Gazetteer *Nippon Sheet Glass*NOD SCID gamma immunodeficient mouse strain*Nordic Polish Support Group*Nordic Sound Group*North Sea Gas*North Sydney Girls High School...
) had not been satisfactory. Many authorities referred to OS’s existing address product (Address-PointADDRESS-POINTAddress Point is a mapping/GIS data product supplied by Great Britain's national mapping agency, Ordnance Survey. It is based on the UK’s postal mail organisation, the Royal Mail, list of postal addresses, Postcode Address File . The most significant difference between Royal Mail list and Address...
) and commented that it was inaccurate, not maintained in a timely way, and didn’t contain the breadth of data contained in NLPG. Some authorities questioned OS’s willingness to act as a partner to local authorities. In contrast several LAs commented favourably on the performance of Intelligent Addressing as their existing service partner".
The Association for Geographic Information (AGI) also had reservations at the time.
At this point in time proposals for the NSAI have been suspended, although Ordnance Survey have signalled their intention to independently develop a commercial product in competition with the NLPG.