Dons get green light for stadium in suburbs

PLANS for a 20,000-seat football stadium in an upmarket suburb have been given the go-ahead after nearly two decades – to the fury of campaigners.

Aberdeen FC wants to move from Pittodrie to a new ground at Kingsford, near Westhill, six miles from the city centre.

After a lengthy debate yesterday, Aberdeen City Council approved the proposal.

However objectors, including campaign group No Kingsford Stadium, said they will challenge the decision.

Last night, Aberdeen FC chairman Stewart Milne said: ‘After 17 years, we are one step closer to a new home that will allow us to meet our vision and ambition for the club, our city and our region.

‘We applaud the councillors for taking this decision in the face of considerable objections. We are fully aware of and sympathetic to those in Westhill and Kingswells who have objected to our plans and I want to reassure them that we want to engage with them to deliver community facilities they can all benefit from.’

A spokesman for No Kingsford Stadium said: ‘It is our view that council officials and councillors have failed in their duty to apply the law in this case and we will now progress our petition for judicial review.’

The club hopes to raise up to £18million from the sale of Pittodrie.

The Scottish Government will now decide if Aberdeen City Council was right to give approval. It is understood that a judicial review could delay work on the stadium by up to 18 months.

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