Aberdeen Football Club (AFC) has lodged a planning application with Aberdeen City Council to build a new £40m stadium at Loirston.

The site at Loirston Loch near Nigg was named as the preferred site for the Dons' new 21,000-seat stadium after AFC decided its current base at Pittodrie was 'outdated'. A site at Kings Links, opposite Pittodrie, was said to be too small and expensive. The new development - designed by the Miller Partnership - will feature hospitality suites; facilities for the players, supporters and the wider community; club offices; car and coach parking and a club museum. The all-seater arena will have three public stands and a main stand, the latter containing the hospitality seating.

A further proposal will see the whole stadium lit by a red glow at night. The application would also see the club's existing stadium and ancillary buildings demolished to make way for a proposed residential development comprising around 350 town houses, duplex units and apartments.

Duncan Fraser, the club's new chief executive, said: "We are delighted to submit a planning application for a stadium that will inspire our fans and the wider community and be a major new attraction for Aberdeen City and Shire. "The exciting design will create a modern, atmospheric stadium that offers the ultimate match-day experience and signifies the clear ambitions of the club."

Image : 'Outdated', AFC's current stadium at Pittodrie