Tributes have been paid to a member of the Stop Stansted Expansion campaign group.
Chris Bennet died after a short illness on Easter Sunday.

SSE Chairman Peter Sanders said: “Chris was a leading member of Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE).

“Chris was SSE’s first expert on noise until he left the area in 2007.

“He made an outstanding contribution to SSE’s response to the Government’s first consultation paper in 2002/03.

“Chris went on to build up SSE’s case against BAA’s proposals in the Stansted G1 Public Inquiry in 2007, and his appearance before the Planning Inspector helped to establish SSE’s reputation for reasonableness, clear thinking and high level analysis.”

“We also benefited from his wisdom and expertise as a member of SSE’s Executive Committee.

“We always knew that whatever he said would have been carefully considered and based upon sound evidence.

“More than that, Chris was unfailingly courteous, responding readily to every request for help and advice, and he had a delightfully sharp sense of humour.“

Mr Sanders added that it was a source of “great pleasure and satisfaction” to him that Stansted was not shortlisted for the extra runway in the south east which the Airports Commission believes will be necessary by 2030.

He said: “Our sympathies go to all his family, but above all to his partner, Joan, who was a great support to him throughout his work for SSE and over the years.”

A funeral service and celebration of Chris’s life will be held at Cambridge Crematorium at 12.15 pm on Friday, May 2.