Heathrow: Bosses want to make proposed new runway even longer as hundreds of protesters arrive

Airport chiefs want the go-ahead for the 2,500-metre (1.55 mile) runway capable of handling long-haul flights, which would overturn a Government recommendation that the third runway only be used for short-haul flights.

It could be used by almost all aircraft except the Boeing 747 jumbo jet and the ultra-large double-decker Airbus A380 super-jumbo.

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But protesters say it would mean bigger planes, more noise and more pollution for people in the flight path.

An industry source said: 'BAA want a 2,500m runway - and that is what it will submit plans for. This will create a major rumpus because it will change the proposed third runway into something much bigger.'

The plan also looks to squeeze more flights out of the existing two runways.

A 12-week consultation and exhibition on the future expansion of Heathrow is planned for the autumn.

Anti-expansion protester John Stewart, of Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN) said: 'A longer runway would mean bigger and noisier planes. This is yet another broken promise by BAA. They were very clear that any third runway would only be for domestic and shot-haul services.'

Serge Lourie. leader of Liberal Democrat-controlled Richmond on Thames council, said: 'We oppose the expansion of Heathrow as we already consider it large enough. We have already opposed the 2,000m runway and will oppose all runways, particularly those which lead to large and more polluting aircraft.'

Heathrow's two existing runways are 3,900m and 3,600m in length which means they can already be used for the Boeing 747 Jumbo jet and the new Airbus A380.

Heathrow currently handles 67million passengers a year but the Government wants it to be able to deal with 115m by 2020.

However, the go-ahead for any expansion is dependent on limiting air pollution which could lead to the introduction of an pollution-linked congestion charge around the airport, similar to that which exists in central London.

The third runway will involve demolition of up to 700 houses including much of the village of Harmonsworth which includes a historic tithe barn and church.

A BAA spokesman said it would be for the Department for Transport to specify the length of a third runway in its consultation, but did not deny that a 2,500m runway was on the cards:'''A third runway at Heathrow is still the subject of detailed technical assessment by the Department for Transport, with support from BAA, National Air Traffic Services, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Highways Agency, and will be subject to full public consultation later this year.'

The news comes as protesters were arriving at Heathrow to swell the ranks of a week-long protest camp at the airport.