Aberdeen FC stadium and training construction phase under way

Club chairman Stewart Milne and manager Derek McInnes performed the ceremony

The start of the construction phase for Aberdeen FC's new stadium and training complex has been marked.

The £50m 20,000-seater development is at Kingsford, near Westhill.

Plans were put on hold last October but the council approved them in January by a vote of 32-9.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes said: "This is a hugely significant milestone for the club as we embark on building long-awaited, best-in-class training facilities."

McInnes and club chairman Stewart Milne performed the ceremonial sod cutting.

The No Kingsford Stadium protest group is pursuing a judicial review in a bid to stop the project going ahead.

The ceremony marked work beginning on phase one of the development, which includes a training pavilion and a number of pitches.

Aberdeen FC believes the new facilities are vital to its future, but objectors say the stadium should be located elsewhere.

The plans were not called in by the Scottish government.

McInnes told the Aberdeen FC website: "Since I took on the role of manager at AFC I have been campaigning for better facilities so there's a huge sense of relief and excitement today to see work beginning on-site.

"Dedicated, purpose-built facilities, adjacent to our new stadium, will be a major boost for the players and the coaching staff.

"They will help us attract and retain talent as well as providing an excellent base for community engagement and footballing excellence in the north of Scotland that will inspire future generations."

The community sports hub and football training facilities will be completed in Summer 2019, with the stadium set to be open for the 2021/22 season.

The total value of phase one is about £10m and the club has promised to appoint local firms wherever possible.