Aberdeen City Council defers decision on Kingsford Stadium at the Dons request

A decision on Aberdeen FC’s plans for a £50 million stadium complex at Kingsford has been pushed back – at the request of Pittodrie bosses.

Councillors at Aberdeen City Council were due to vote on the planning application next Wednesday. Officers were due to publish their report – with a recommendation on whether the application be approved earlier this week. But that was delayed, with the local authority saying more time was needed to produce it.

A spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council said: "We can confirm that item 9(h), in relation to the application for planning consent for proposed community and sports facilities at West Kingsford, has been withdrawn from the agenda for the meeting of Full Council on 11 October 2017 at the request of the applicant, Aberdeen Football Club.

“Having regard to the nature of the application and the associated complexities, and in light of the public interest, the Planning Authority has acceded to the request on this occasion.

“The request has been made to enable the applicant to seek further discussions and clarification to take place with the Planning Authority. If necessary, further planning consultation will follow.”

AFC Chairman Stewart Milne said: "This is a once in a generation project with major implications for the club, the city and the wider region. It is also an application with a degree of legal and planning complexity that needs to be carefully considered. We have therefore decided to request that our application be deferred to a future meeting of the full council.”

There's been fierce opposition to the proposals - with the No Kingsford Stadium group saying it has funding in place for a judicial review IF it's approved. They’re concerned about traffic, parking and the site.

Pittodrie bosses say the development is vital for the club's future.

If given the go-ahead, the #40 million-plus plans would see a new 20,000-seater stadium and football academy, the latter of which would be completed first.

The planned move to a location seven miles west of the city centre followed a failed attempt to move to Loirston Loch after proposals were rejected by councillors in August 2012.

Campaign group No Kingsford Stadium has opposed the latest plans due to its potential impact on the environment and traffic.

It is not yet known when the application will now go before the council with the club hoping a decision will be made before Christmas. It is within the local authority's power to call a special meeting over the matter.