I'm certainly no NIMBY and have lived near various airports over the years. One of the places in which I have dwelt was Charlwood, and I do agree the destruction of this village and the surrounding countryside would be appalling. Other than the people who live there, paving over Sipson (LHR) would be no great loss. The same cannot be said about Charlwood or the hamlet to the N of Stansted. Both of these once quiet airfields became major airports largely by chance, abetted by the inability of successive governments to grab the bull by the horns and do something sensible and pro-active.
I usually poo-poo expansion protesters. In these cases I lean towards supporting them. And no, I don't really have any other answers/suggestions although Alconbury has a lot going for it IMO - nothing of natural or architectural value around there.