The firm, headed by Willie John Dolan, failed to win approval from Donegal County Council for its last bid to build a cinema in the town in 2017.

However, following moves by the council to rezone lands, it has submitted a new application for the 714-seater venue, with a shop and restaurant close to a Lidl foodstore on Ballybofey Road.

"Donegal is one of the few major centres in Ireland without a cinema," said Mr Dolan.

"It represents a missed opportunity for the local economy, because if people can't go to the cinema here, they will go elsewhere.

"We are grateful that the council has rezoned the land, which allows us to bring forward a fresh application that will support this leisure and entertainment use.

"If our application is successful the real winner will be the residents who have called for this application to be approved."

The plan has strong support with a social media group of 2,000 followers throwing its weight behind the Co Tyrone builder's plan.

Belfast planning consultancy Turley is also involved. Director Brian Kelly said the cinema will create jobs and deliver a new environment for people in the town to socialise.

"The cinema will bring an important economic contributor providing long-term employment within the town," he added.

Credit : Belfast Telegraph