Comprehensive Plan

The 2012 Comprehensive Development Plan is effective from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2022. The comprehensive plan provides the blueprint for future development and redevelopment in New Castle County. Changes to the Unified Development Code, re-zonings, and capital programs must all be reviewed within the context of conformity with the Comprehensive Development Plan.

A hard copy of the comprehensive plan may be purchased for $50 at the front desk in the Department of Land Use, 87 Read's Way, New Castle Corporate Commons. Printed copies are also available for viewing at New Castle County's libraries.

New Castle County is at a crossroads regarding growth and development.  We are a maturing county with older and newer communities. How do we ensure our future is sustainable and we are creating attractive, vibrant communities?  Where should development versus preservation happen and how can they both best serve the community?  Should we continue our piecemeal approach to planning on a case by case basis, or develop a comprehensive strategy for the County’s future?  These are the core questions the County and its residents must grapple with as we plan for the next 30 years — NCC@2050.  Read the report by clicking on the report covers.

New Castle County’s “Growing Better Places” is a development scenario board game that helps residents, students, employees, and other stakeholders discuss and understand the dynamics of growth, development, infrastructure, and community amenities and trade offs involved in related real-world decision making.

As part of our efforts to try a variety of approaches for public engagement, the Land Use Department developed the game to be used with a wide range of stakeholders as a way to begin gathering public input related to growth, and ultimately prepare the way for great engagement in the upcoming countywide comprehensive plan update processes. The next comp plan update is due in 2022.

The following report summarizes the game and its first use at an event held in late January 2019, called “Reality Check.”   We want to use it with a variety of groups in the coming year across the County.  This would be one component of our outreach and engagement efforts.   Read the report here.