Aberdeen Football Club’s £50million stadium move was dealt a blow by councillors yesterday – but bosses insist they will push on with the development.
The proposals for the Dons’ new home at Kingsford, at Kingswells, include a 20,000-seat stadium, training pitches, a heritage museum and sports facilities for the local community.
But despite conceding the project would bring “considerable benefits” to the area, Aberdeenshire Council planners said they could not back the scheme amid concerns over transport, parking and impact on local residents.
And yesterday, infrastructure services committee chairman David Aitchison used his casting vote to oppose the plans – the recommendation that will now go before Aberdeen City Council when a final decision is made in June.
During a heated two-hour debate, members heard from club chiefs, local supporters and objectors before being divided on how to proceed.
Westhill councillor Mr Aitchison used his casting vote as committee chairman to confirm the council’s formal objection, arguing the plans for transporting fans along the A944 Aberdeen to Alford road were a “dog’s dinner”.
Last night George Yule, executive vice-chairman of the club, said the decision was not a huge surprise and vowed to continue on with the project.
“The split vote shows how divided Aberdeenshire councillors are,” he said. “The casting vote came down to the chair – a Westhill councillor – and it was only going to go one way with local elections in May.
“It’s not a blow as such. It’s a work in progress. Aberdeenshire Council is one consultee among a number of consultees.”
Aberdeenshire Council is a statutory consultee and the final decision will be made by city councillors.
During the debate, Mr Yule said the Reds had inspired generations of Aberdonians from Pittodrie – their home for 114 years – but now needed to look to the next century.
Mike Forbes, from the Westhill for Kingsford group, told gathered councillors that a “significant” number of Westhill residents are silently in favour of the development.
He said that the last two years have been an economic “wake up call” for the north-east and that objectors in the No Kingsford Stadium group have a “fear of change”.
But No Kingsford Stadium spokesman John Simpson condemned the project. He said: “This development should be close to the centre of Aberdeen, in a sustainable location with excellent transport links.
“This is the wrong development in the wrong place – it is an attempt by Aberdeen FC to ride roughshod over planning policy.”
He said that despite authority’s move to object to the new stadium there is now work ahead to lobby Aberdeen City Council.
Voting against the proposals, SNP councillor Mr Aitchison said that although there is no doubt the Dons need a replacement for Pittodrie, he did not feel Kingsford was the right site.
“Aberdeenshire Council doesn’t make the decision however it’s on our doorstep and in a lot of ways it is our business,” he said. “It’s not residents of Torry, Cults and Cover who will be affected – it’s the residents of Westhill and Kingswells.”
Mr Aitchison said the club’s transport plan for cars and coaches travelling to the site along the A944 Aberdeen to Westhill road is a “dog’s dinner” and added: “This stadium is so far out of town it’s in another town.”
His comments were echoed by fellow Westhill councillor Ron McKail.
The Conservative member was concerned by suggestions that Westhill would become a controlled parking zone on match days because the stadium car park will only accommodate 1,600 vehicles.
He added: “I’m convinced that if this were an Aberdeenshire planning application we would refuse it.”
A final decision on the planning application will be made by Aberdeen City Council in June. If approved, it is hoped the stadium could be ready for the 2020/21 football season.
