SECOND home owners in the New Forest could face paying double council tax bills if a district councillor gets his way.

Currently people with holiday homes pay 90 per cent of the standard rate to New Forest District Council.

Conservative councillor Squadron Leader Michael Pemberton, who represents Milford-on-Sea, first proposed "raising the upper limit of council tax on second homes to a level of twice the basic rate" at the July meeting of the council.

He said there was evidence to show the upper limit of 90 per cent of the basic rate of council tax was more an encouragement than a deterrent to second home purchasers.

There were too many holiday homes left empty and unoccupied during the winter months and the "seasonal fluctuation had a detrimental effect on local communities", he said.

He pointed out the government was concerned about the economic decline of South Coast seaside resorts, and in particular that the housing market had become "distorted by developers building for the holiday trade and not for local people".

And he considered the government should allow local authorities to adjust levels of council tax charged to deter people from buying holiday homes.

He claimed an adjustment "might be sufficient to temper demand and restore the equilibrium to a housing market that must first serve its neighbourhood and so succour its local economy".

The only way the council can increase the council tax on second homes above the current 90 per cent is to persuade the government to change the law.

His motion has now been referred to the council's corporate overview panel which meets tomorrow.

The panel will make a recommendation to the council cabinet and council, which will then decide whether to call on the government's Department for Communities and Local Government for a change.

The council's director of resources Chris Malyon said councils can charge between 50 and 90 per cent for second homes and New Forest had opted for the maximum 90 per cent.

However, he did not hold out a lot of hope for doubling the standard rate.

"While the sentiment is laudable, the practicalities are not achievable," he said.

"If you start charging 100 per cent or above, there is no incentive for people to register a second home."

A total 2.4 per cent 1,750, homes in New Forest district are currently furnished and unoccupied and are subject to 90 per cent council tax.