LIMITS on the numbers of commercial pleasure craft plying their trade on Windermere could be changed to help businesses diversify as the 10mph speed limit approaches.

The number of boats that can be hired on England's longest lake is currently restricted to 300 because of a by-law.

Some categories of boats are full, such as yachts, sailing dinghies and self-drive motor boats. But other categories have few or no licences, such as windsurfers, and Friday South Lakeland district councillors will be asked if they want to introduce greater flexibility into the licensing of pleasure craft.

Director of amenities and development Martin Jayne says in a report: "The byelaw is proving to be a difficult and inflexible burden on the management of hire vessels because the split over individual classes of boats provides no allowance for growth or changing patterns."

With no more licences available for yachts, sailing dinghies and self-drive vessels, he adds: "This is a concern because existing companies are trying to diversify their businesses into what might be acceptable activities and the byelaw is preventing us from allowing this diversification."

Tony Rothwell, managing director of Bowness boatyard Shepherds, told the Gazette he did not see why the number of licences should be limited. The company has a fleet of 15-feet motor boats for hire, plus electric launches and a day-hire sailing boat.

"Personally speaking we are sitting pretty, we've got the licences we want at the moment, it does restrict anyone else coming in and giving us competition. But morally I do believe if people have got the right boats and the right premises they should be available," he said.

Mr Rothwell also believes the council should also make the cost of moorings cheaper for commercial hire sailing boats, to foster sailing on the lake.

Bernard Twitchett, managing director of Windermere Lake Holidays Afloat, which has a fleet of motor cruisers and sailing boats for short-break holidays, and self-drive motor boats for day hire, would also welcome greater flexibility "The more licences you can have, it gives you more scope and options," he said.

The issue is to be discussed by SLDC's lake administration sub-committee Friday.

February 6, 2003 11:30