Aberdeen Football Club's (AFC) plans for a new 21,000-seat stadium on land near Loirston Loch have been given the green light by the Scottish Government.

The 39.5-acre (16-hectare) development - designed by the Miller Partnership - was approved by Aberdeen City Council last month and is due for completion ahead of the 2013-14 season. AFC said the Scottish Government's decision means it can now work to securing funding to deliver the stadium, as well as training and community facilities at Calder Park.

"The decision of the Scottish Government to allow the stadium development to proceed is a critical step forward," said AFC chief executive officer Duncan Fraser. "With the continuing support of our major shareholders and the bank we can now move forward in the coming months to bring together a funding package."