SENIOR politicians at South Lakeland District Council will listen to arguments for and against making changes to how England's largest natural lake is managed.

The debate follows a wide-ranging survey which asked users of Windermere about their experiences on the lake.

More than 525 lake users responded to the survey and 76 per cent said they were satisfied with their experience, with just 12 per cent saying they were either fairly or very dissatisfied.

Some called for clarity over roles and responsibilities of those who manage the lake, some called for the 10nmph speed limit to be scrapped while others praised the work of lake wardens.

Background papers were requested to provide a history of how the limit came about before a meeting of SLDC's Lake Administration Committee at Kendal Town Hall where Carole Shaw, chairman of the Windermere Lake User Forum, told councillors: "To provide value for money from this exercise presumably the tax payer will want to see this information used to deliver some positive outcome and evidence of the information being used wisely.

"The background to the speed limit is complex and it was recognised at the time that a blanket speed limit was not the only solution.

"Better management was always an option and as we enter 2015 with a declining use of the lake and related economy this offers an opportunity to review the needs of all lake users and the opportunities this could bring to the area."

Cllr Jennifer Borer, from Windermere Town Council, said: "We should look at how things can be rebuilt or rearranged to encourage and support the people around the lake who run businesses.

"We need to find a real strategy for getting back to better and fuller usage of the lake."

Cllr John Holmes added: "I view the lake as a public amenity and it shouldn't be the domain of specialist smaller groups," while Windermere Cllr John Saunders said: "I can't speak for them but the general feeling in Windermere and Bowness in the last decade is that the town has gone down hill.

"It is not the bustling centre it used to be, we have to ask what the people want."

The committee agreed to hold a special meeting before submitting its comments to full cabinet - but not until after the General Election.

Cllr Andrew Gardiner said: "All I hear about every summer is there are too many geese and too much algae. Speedboats get rid of all that so the water was cleaner for swimmers.

"I don't want this to be kicked under the carpet but we do need to look at all the aspects."