A second public consultation is to be held over Aberdeen FC's plans to build a new £50 million stadium and training complex at Kingsford.

Previous proposals were withdrawn by the Club last month to allow planning officials more time to properly assess the plans.

The Club originally hoped for a decision on the application to be made before Christmas. However, as new information and documents have been submitted a further pre-determination hearing is to be held in January next year.

The consultation will begin during the course of next week and involves re-notification of neighbours, re-advertising the application consulting the relevant external bodies and council services.

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The closing date for written representations is 12 December.

Raymond Edgar, project director for Kingsford, said: "While we had been hoping for a decision on our application before Christmas, we now have an agreed timetable with the Council which will allow the proposals to be fully considered by Councillors in January.

"Following the deferral in October, we have worked with the Council planning officers to provide further reassurance that the Club's approach to selecting Kingsford complies with legal requirements. In addition, we have undeniably demonstrated there are no other suitable, available and sequentially preferable sites within the city which could accommodate the development. In particular, we believe we have, once and for all, demonstrated that the proposals cannot be delivered at either King's Links or Loirston.

"As requested by the Council's economic development team, we have also provided further analysis which shows that the economic benefits of the development to the region are even greater than previously estimated..

"While the Club recognises that the delay has been frustrating for all those who continue to back our plans, it's vital that we have the best chance of securing the right decision."

(LM)