The Arena project team is promoting Loirston for the stadium

The possible development near Loirston Loch - revealed in a report published on Wednesday - would include a new home for Aberdeen Football Club (AFC).

The Arena project team of Aberdeen City Council and AFC will present an outline business case for a stadium and ask councillors to promote Loirston.

Officers recommend a 22,000-seat stadium, potentially rising to 30,000 depending on financial backing.

The whole project is expected to cost about �53m.

'Very exciting'

In her report for a 19 December council meeting, head of planning and infrastructure Margaret Bochel writes: "Development of the Arena Community Stadium will ensure that Aberdeen is acknowledged as a competitive, dynamic and vibrant place to live and work.

"Such a facility would be a major addition to the infrastructure of the city, helping increase participation in sport and encouraging a healthy lifestyle across all sectors of the community."

The next stage will be for councillors to give approval for the project to move forward.

That could see the stadium built by 2012.

Council leader Kate Dean - who also represents the Cove area - said: "This is a very exciting prospect here for a community stadium. It will need more work to ensure the sums stack up."