A group of travellers based in the north-east say they want to work with the council to secure the “best solution possible” for their future.
The unauthorised camp at North Esk, St Cyrus, secured retrospective planning permission to stay on the site, but that decision was overturned by Scottish ministers.
The application was called in after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) raised concerns about flooding.
The group has already ruled out the possibility of appealing to the Court of Session.
Aberdeenshire Council met yesterday to discuss the next stage of potentially resolving the situation.
Members heard from architect Rodger Brunton who was representing the travellers, some of whom were at the Woodhill House hearing yesterday.
He explained that approximately 100 people were living at the camp, including pregnant women and children.
Mr Brunton said: “At present most of the family bread winners and those at the site are paying council tax.
“The police have been and commended the site on the way it is run and there have been no reported incidents whatsoever.
“The refusal of permission by Scottish ministers on September 14 has the potential for all the residents to be evicted not just from their home, but from a strategically important and suitable gypsy traveller’s site in Aberdeenshire.
“I am sure the council is disappointed with the decision and we want to work with the council in order to get the best solution possible.
“There is the opportunity to act positively and that still remains as an option for Aberdeenshire Council.
“This is an opportunity when actually doing nothing will benefit the whole of the Mearns as well as a hundred individuals who have made it their home over the last five years and have the constant threat of eviction over their heads.”
Councillor Martin Ford said: “I am very disappointed about the outcome of the appeal and there’s no doubt it’s created a lot of difficulty for both the residents and the council.
“This is not just the consideration of a planning application, this is a consideration of a life-changing decision for a hundred people.”
Councillor Peter Argyle said: “The whole legal and planning process is now complete. The question now is what the council will do.”
Councillors agreed to instruct local authority officers to come up with an action plan.
The findings will be discussed by Aberdeenshire Council in January.
