New Aberdeen FC stadium given go-ahead

A judge has given the green light for Aberdeen Football Club’s plans for a new stadium.

Campaigners against the proposed grounds near Westhill had appealed to the courts to halt the £50 million development.

The 20,000 capacity stadium at Kingsford will replace Pittodrie as the home of the Dons.

Aberdeen FC chairman Stewart Milne said: “The outcome of the judicial review is welcome news for the Club, the council and the wider region.

“We’ve already been engaging positively with local residents and community groups who support our plans.

“But, following today’s decision, we will reach out to the whole community, even those who have objected to the plans, so that we can work positively with them to deliver a community sports hub that meets their aspirations, best-in-class football training facilities and, ultimately, a stadium that the whole region can be proud of.”

Aberdeen City Council granted planning permission for the stadium and training facilities in April last year.

The decision was challenged by a group called No Kingsford Stadium, who say the council failed to show there were no other available alternatives to the site.

However Lord Tyre at the Court of Session concluded: “In my opinion the petitioner has not identified an error of law in the approach of the council that would entitle this court to interfere with its decision to grant planning permission for the proposed development.”

An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: “We note the outcome of the judicial review and welcome the court’s ruling that a robust planning process was followed in determining the application.”