Aberdeen Football Club has been granted official planning permission to build the £50 million Kingsford stadium and training complex.
Planning officials gave the final green light to the development between Westhill and Kingswells yesterday.
The club now hopes to begin building on the site by June, saying the facilities are needed to keep the club successful.
A legal challenge is nonetheless being prepared by the campaign group No Kingsford Stadium (NKS), whose members argue that the council contravened its own planning policies in terms of building on green belt land.
NKS hopes to challenge the council through a judicial review at the Court of Session.
The group say they have raised £58,000 – £12,000 short of their £70,000 target – but now have just 90 days to lodge their challenge.
One of the key elements of their appeal will be the fact that a report due to be presented to Aberdeen councillors on the stadium plans was pulled from consideration at the 11th hour in October.
The scheme was subsequently approved by the local authority in January.
NKS director Heather Brock said: “We have already been working with our legal team but the work starts in earnest now to move to initiate a Judicial Review within the 90 day period.
“We are being guided by the lawyers’ recommendations and our lawyers have experience of a successful review.”
Last night Aberdeen FC chairman Stewart Milne said he believes work will now progress without delay.
“We are really excited about letting contracts to local companies for the work and getting started on site.
“Despite claims by the objectors, we will be going ahead as we are confident that our plans have gone through the proper channels and democratic process.”
