“Where the streets have no name…” sang U2. They could have been referring to Steeton, West Yorkshire.

Homebuyers in the town have experienced stalling and delays on their mortgage applications, through no fault of their own, their lenders’ or advisers’ – but because of a council row over street names.

When Redrow Homes developed 209 homes in the village the firm wanted to name the streets after French towns, according to the Telegraph & Argus. However, some councillors opposed the suggestion in favour of more local references.

A report on the dispute stated:

“The delay in addressing this site is causing disruption to the developers and vendors.

“Plots on this site are being sold, but mortgage applications are being held up by the Land Charges process, as the searches do not have addresses for them to complete their part in the process.”

Councillors have also failed to agree on whether the streets should be named after bushes and shrubs, such as Hawthorne Road, or horses, like Swaledale Avenue.

So far, the only mutually approved road name is Emmott Walk, named after a former parish council leader. Councillors will meet next week in an attempt to resolve the discussions.