Green charity attacks bypass plan

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One of Britain's largest conservation charities has criticised plans to build a bypass around Aberdeen.

The Woodland Trust said the road would carve through 500 acres of green belt land and destroy 12 ancient forests.

The charity is sending letters to people in the north east urging them to object to the plans.

A spokesman for Transport Scotland, which is running the project, said minimising the environmental impact was "integral to the road's development".

The bypass has attracted much local criticism, but with 300,000 members across Britain, the Woodland Trust is the biggest organisation to step into the row.

However, the road has considerable support from local businesses which believe it is vital to the future economy.

The 46km bypass will cost hundreds of millions of pounds to build.

The preferred route will also mean the demolition of a school and 19 homes.

It would pass through the Milltimber site of the city's International School.