A PUBLIC consultation on the controversial £40 million stadium for Aberdeen FC on the outskirts of the city has been launched.

The Dons’ replacement for Pittodrie would seat 20,000 fans and could feature a new club store, a café, memorial garden and heritage museum charting the club’s history.

A 12-week consultation on the ambitious proposals for a new stadium at Kingsford between Kingswells and Westhill was opened yesterday.

Just last week, a group opposed to Aberdeen FC’s plans faced a torrent of online abuse from some fans but members of the Say No to Kingsford Stadium vowed to continue its campaign.

An incident in which weed killer was sprayed over one campaigner’s garden has also been reported to police.

The group said the incidents would not stop their fight to get the plans thrown out.

Club chiefs insist the stadium and training facilities would be a community focal point offering a range of facilities for locals.

It would have 1,300 parking spaces, three first team training pitches, two community ones and a pavilion for locals that would include offices, changing rooms and a gym.

Members of the No to Kingsford Stadium group have claimed there is no need for the new community facilities, and have also raised fears about the loss of green belt land along the A944 and potential traffic problems.

Aberdeen chief executive Duncan Fraser said: “Our proposal is to develop much-needed modern training facilities, community facilities and a 21st-century stadium that provides an enhanced match-day experience.

“These will support the ambitions of the club, further the significant work already done within the community by Aberdeen FC Community Trust and deliver wider economic and social benefits to the city and region.”