Application goes in for new Aberdeen Stadium

The Dons revealed last month that they hoped to move from their Pittodrie home to a new £40million ground at Kingsford, between Westhill and Kingswells.

Pittodrie has been the home of the Reds since their formation in 1903.

Now the Club has submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to Aberdeen City Council, Kingswells Community Council, Westhill and Elrick Community Council, and Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council , confirming its intention to submit a planning application later this year after a 12-week period of pre-application consultation activity.

As statement from the club said details of the consultation process and its timing, which will include public exhibitions and extensive engagement with stakeholders across the city and wider region, will be provided in the coming weeks.

Duncan Fraser, chief executive of Aberdeen FC, said: “Our proposal is to develop much-needed modern training facilities, community facilities and a 21st century stadium that provides an enhanced match-day experience. These will support the ambitions of the club and our fans, further the significant work already done within the community by Aberdeen FC Community Trust and deliver wider economic and social benefits to the city and region.

“Following initial discussions with the planning authority and other stakeholders, we are now beginning the formal planning process and look forward to sharing our proposals with all interested parties during the 12-week consultation.”

The Club does not intend to comment further on the proposals at this stage in order to allow Aberdeen City Council to formally consider and respond to the proposed approach to consultation and engagement within the PAN.

Aberdeen FC chairman Stewart Milne said: “These will support the ambitions of the club and our fans, further the significant work already done within the community by Aberdeen FC Community Trust and deliver wider economic and social benefits to the city and region.

“Following initial discussions with the planning authority and other stakeholders, we are now beginning the formal planning process.”

The new ground would be beside the A944 Aberdeen-Westhill road and the city’s under-construction western peripheral route.

Aberdeen could be playing at the new stadium within three years in front of crowds of up to 19,000-20,000.