The Scottish Government has announced that it will not call in the Kingsford Stadium decision. Last month Aberdeen councillors voted in favour of Aberdeen Football Club’s planning application to move from Pittodrie to a site in the green belt east of Westhill.
The Scottish Government said in the notification that while recognising concerns raised by Aberdeenshire Council in relation to the planning application, Scottish Ministers are satisfied that the proposal does not warrant a decision to be taken by central government and that Aberdeen City Council is best placed to take this decision.
However, Ministers expect Aberdeen City Council, in doing so, to have regard to the matters raised by Aberdeenshire Council.
The stadium will impact on Westhill, particularly regarding car parking on match days.
Since the city council took its decision I have received more than 50 emails and some letters all urging Aberdeenshire councillors not to support any proposals in the county which would facilitate the building of the stadium. I will keep my thoughts to myself until such matters come before me for a decision, if they do.