THE Lifford Local Area Plan 2007 - 2013 was adopted at Monday's meeting of Donegal County Council.

A number of material alterations were made to the Plan before it was adopted in accordance with submissions from the public and recommendations made by the County Manager and local Councillors.

Key changes were made to zoning of land in Lifford which had been set aside for the development of the promised Lifford to Letterkenny road. Areas of land had been set aside as a "buffer zone" in anticipation of the road re-alignment, however local Councillors Gerry Crawford and Tony McDaid said changes needed to be made to allow the town develop naturally and enable the residential and business heart to grow without being stifled by restrictive zoning.

During a lengthy and at times confusing debate about maps and locations, it was decided to reduce the 20 metre 'amenity zone' along the rail embankment to a 10 metre buffer.

The lands to the rear of St Jude's Court have been rezoned from 'Agricultural / Amenity' to 'Low Density Residential'. Within this rezoning Councillors included a five metre development-free buffer zone to accommodate the proposed realignment corridor for the new road.

Cllr Crawford argued to reduce the recommended 10 metre development exclusion zone around the road corridor to five metres. His proposal was seconded by Cllr Tony McDaid.

Other changes included re-zoning lands on the outskirts of Lifford from ' Agricultural / Amenity' to ' Residential' (With a 10 metre, development free buffer zone up to the proposed Realignment Corridor).

Lands previously zoned 'Agricultural / Amenity' were changed to an 'Opportunity Site' (With a 5 metre, development free buffer zone up to the proposed Realignment Corridor).