George Yule, executive vice-chairman of Aberdeen Football Club said,
“We note today’s decision by Aberdeenshire Council Infrastructure Services Committee (ISC) to object to the club's planning application for the new training, community and stadium facilities at Kingsford. The vote was split 7/7 with half the committee opting to defer a decision pending receipt of further information. However, a casting vote taken by the Chairman placed the outcome in favour of objection. They are obviously entitled to their view as one statutory consultee, but importantly the final decision on our planning application will rest with Aberdeen City Council.
“The club will continue to work with project stakeholders and other consultees to ensure we deliver this much-needed project, one which represents a £50m private investment at a time of significant economic challenge for the whole region, and whereas the Kingsford project in itself is not the sole solution to address the downturn of the past two years, it certainly forms a part of an important blend of key major developments that will enable the region to reduce its over-reliance on the oilfield industry in future. The Kingsford project will also provide inspirational community and sporting facilities across the city which will benefit future generations of the North East of Scotland population.
“It is essential that the North-East of Scotland continues to demonstrate that it has the appetite to embrace necessary change, overcome potential hurdles and support major investment that bring long term socio-economic benefits across the whole of this region. Our plans represent an unmissable opportunity to secure the future of the club and extend the reach of the Community Trust and we continue to have ongoing dialogue with Aberdeen City Council via the formal planning process regardless of today’s decision by Aberdeenshire Council, with the objective of delivering this important development”.
“It is essential that the North-East of Scotland continues to demonstrate that it has the appetite to embrace necessary change, overcome potential hurdles and support major investment that bring long term socio-economic benefits across the whole of this region. Our plans represent an unmissable opportunity to secure the future of the club and extend the reach of the Community Trust and we continue to have ongoing dialogue with Aberdeen City Council via the formal planning process regardless of today’s decision by Aberdeenshire Council, with the objective of delivering this important development”.
