THE leaders of some of Britain’s biggest companies have begun a revolt against plans for a third runway at London’s Heathrow airport.

The campaign includes chief executives of leading companies – Justin King of J Sainsbury, Charles Dunstone of Carphone Warehouse, Ian Cheshire of Kingfisher, and Sir Roy Gardner, chairman of Compass – and highlights the deep divisions within the business community over the expansion of Britain’s largest airport.

Gordon Brown controversially approved a third runway there earlier this year, saying environmental concerns were outweighed by benefits to the economy. The CBI and TUC led a vigorous business lobby in favour of the extra runway.

Russell Chambers, an adviser at Credit Suisse instrumental in forming the group, said: “Many people in business have misgivings about the decision on the third runway, both in terms of the rationale put forward and the environmental impact. It’s possible to be pro-transport, pro-aviation and yet, at the same time, pro responsible citizenship.”

Others who are asking Brown to rethink his decision are David Levin, chief executive of United Business Media, and two leading players from private equity, Jon Moulton of Alchemy and Dominic Murphy of KKR.

Kingfisher’s Cheshire said: “We feel strongly that the real business case for this expansion has not been made. A business perspective on the situation would focus much more on how we restructure existing resources at Heathrow, with high-speed rail and options at other airports, before pushing ahead with more capacity that seems to be driven by transit-passenger growth rather than improving Heathrow as a hub for UK plc.”

He added: “It is clear many other people share our desire for a more balanced review of the options, but have felt inhibited about speaking out for fear of somehow being seen as disloyal to the business community. I believe the opposite, which is that responsible business leaders must bring their experience to this debate to ensure we get the right answer for the UK in the long term.”

The emergence of business opposition is a blow to British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and BAA, Heathrow’s owner, all of whom stand to benefit from the airport’s expansion and have campaigned strongly for it.

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