SUPPORT has been thrown behind the idea of taxing visitors to the Lake District in response to comments made by a hotels boss. 

Jonathan Denby had branded the idea of introducing a levy 'monstrous' and felt such ideas were put forward 'by people who hate tourists'.

But Ian Wharton, who was, until Saturday's restructure, a councillor for Broughton and Coniston, has hit back, saying Cumbria's infrastructure is 'crumbling' and that it falls on residents to pay for the extra resources required during tourist season.

"The visitor should pay towards the maintenance and use of our county facilities, and the best way to raise this is through taxation," he said.

Both Mr Denby, who is the owner of South Lakes Hotels, and Mr Wharton were responding to a report from the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, a business-led think tank and advocacy group, and Ernst & Young that called for a 'tourism tax' to 'support culture, protect the environment and improve visitor experience'.

READ MORE: Calls for tourism tax branded 'monstrous' by hotels boss

The document suggested this could be done via a levy on hotel stays in areas such as the Lake District but also discussed the idea of a pay-to-enter system on vehicles. 

Mr Wharton said: "Tourist taxes, or city taxes, are commonplace around Europe and, indeed, are seriously being considered in destinations such as Edinburgh, Cornwall and Wales.

"I, personally, have never objected to paying a few euros extra for my visit."

Steve Lenartowicz, of Ambleside Action for a Future, a network of residents working together to 'mitigate climate and environmental breakdown', said Westmorland and Furness Council should commission a 'full, independent study' into introducing a levy on vehicles entering the Lake District, with an exception for residents.

"We need a major shift from private cars to public transport and active travel – this would benefit both residents and tourists, reduce congestion, reduce the impact of traffic on wildlife and the landscape, reduce pollution and carbon emissions, and improve our health," he said.

"This would help to make the Lake District into a World Heritage Site that is worthy of the name."

Mr Lenartowicz said the money from such a tax should be used to invest in a better public transport system and improved facilities for walking and cycling.