As a resident of Great Chesterford near Saffron Walden, she told the BBC there are many financial arguments to enlarge Stansted.

She said the most compelling argument is to protect another possible site for an airport on Foulness Island.

"It should occur to people that our wetlands are much more valuable in ecological terms than our farmlands in ecological terms," she said.

"And they are very much more valuable than low grade suburbia masquerading as rural England.

"I feel they are going to do it (enlarge Stansted Airport) and they should do it.

"This time I want them to make sure, as they did the first time, that the environmental impact is kept to a minimum."