The Camphill community is fighting the plans

The city has been pressing for a bypass to ease traffic congestion.

Supporters of the scheme say it will boost the local economy, relieve congestion and improve safety.

Objectors believe it will destroy the green belt, and on the preferred route, cut through a community for special needs adults and children at Camphill.

Since the public consultation period began last month, more than 4,000 people have visited exhibitions detailing the five possible routes and thousands more have submitted responses.

Traffic congestion

If the preferred route is chosen it will cost up to �280m and could be the subject of a public inquiry before being completed by 2010.

Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said a decision would be taken after responses had been examined.

He said the new road would significantly reduce traffic congestion and boost the local economy.

The preferred bypass route would cost �280m

The Camphill community is for people with learning difficulties. Their properties at Myrtle would end up on either side of the proposed new road.

The organisation was founded in Aberdeen almost 70 years ago and has grown into an international movement dedicated to helping adults and children with special needs.

There are more than 90 Camphill communities in 21 countries, including 47 in the UK and Ireland.

Protestors claim the Deeside community will be destroyed by the road.

They fear that constant traffic noise could disrupt work at the Camphill Rudolph Steiner school with children suffering from severe behavioural problems.

However, a Scottish Executive study suggested the project could be driven through the Camphill development without damaging the school

Residents could even be moved during construction, it suggested.