Aberdeen FC win final approval for new £50m stadium

0 The planned stadium at Kingsford still faces local opposition despite gaining planning permission Aberdeen FC has been granted official planning permission for a new £50 million stadium and training complex.

Aberdeen City Council’s planning department has now formally approved the development at Kingsford, near Westhill.

Councillors gave the green light to the new 20,000-seat stadium in January but city officials have now finalised all negotiations with the club, with permission now granted.

The club hopes to begin construction of the stadium, which will sit on the outskirts of the city in a wealthy neighbourhood, in June.

It is expected that 150 jobs will be created in the first phase of the development with contracts due to be advertised next month. However, work at the site could be delayed as the council faces legal action from residents over its decision to approve the plans.

The No Kingsford Stadium protest group plans to pursue a judicial review against Aberdeen City Council with around £58,000 raised in legal fees by those opposed to the development.

Protestors believe the new stadium should be located closer to the city centre or split over two sites with concerns over increased traffic flows and the impact of the stadium on the leafy area.

The group said it has a “real prospect of success” with the legal bid.

A spokeswoman said: “No Kingsford Stadium will lodge a petition for Judicial Review of the planning approval granted to Aberdeen Football Club by Aberdeen City Council within the 90-day time limit.

“We continue to be advised by our legal team, who believe we have a real prospect of success.

“A Judicial Review is the only avenue available to us to defend our community from this development.

“No reasonable local authority would have granted this planning consent and this view is supported by both Aberdeenshire Council and the Strategic Planning Authority for North-east Scotland.”

Club bosses have been planning a move away for Pittodrie for 18 years with the ageing ground costing hundreds of thousands of pounds a year to maintain. They claim the new stadium is vital to the future of Aberdeen FC with hopes the new ground will help fulfil the club’s European ambitions.