A campaign group says it is "prepared" to mount a legal challenge against a proposed £50m luxury hotel and surfing lagoon.

Charity groups and campaigners have come together to launch crowdfunding appeal to fight against the intended development at former colliery Betteshanger Country Park, near Deal.

The Friends of Betteshanger Park group's Crowd Justice funding campaign, which was launched at 4pm today, is said to be supported by CPRE Kent, Kent Wildlife Trust and the RSPB.

The ambitious scheme would see a 120-bed luxury hotel constructed alongside the county's first ever surf resort.

It has proved controversial since it was announced in 2021, sparking concerns for wildlife and a loss of green open space.

This is despite teams behind the project reassuring critics of their commitment to nature by setting aside 30 acres of the huge park for wildlife habitats.

In fact, the team say that once the development is complete, there will be a 11% biodiversity net gain.

In response to previous feedback - which included criticism from wildlife expert Christ Packham - a new 15-acre off-site reserve called Hammill Field was set aside to create a new home for turtle doves, a protected species of bird commonly seen in the park.

Following the move, Mr Packham said that he was "open to dialogue and [to] work towards a solution" with the team, however campaigners are still heavily opposed to the plans, and are hoping to raise cash to pay the legal fights to come.

Vikki Ellis, general manager of CPRE Kent, said that the plans would "destroy a tranquil, peaceful country site".

"The aim is ultimately to save the site from development so that the country park is not only there for the wildlife and the rare plant species, but also for everybody so everyone can enjoy it," she said.

"They [the hotel and the surfing lagoon] are just as bad as each other... they would be basically 24/7, everyday, all the time, with no respite for the rare species in the park.

"The pressure of the visitors at the site, using the hotel and the lagoon would be horrific. I can't imagine how bad the light pollution will be, especially on an elevated site like that.

"We need to start thinking about safeguarding species like [turtle doves], and not allowing private industry to profit off places like this."

Ms Ellis said that the fundraiser was set up as "preparation for the future" while the plans are considered.

"The money would be used for expert advice, any legal consultations that need to be done, and if – and this is a big if – we have to take this to a Judicial Review."

Betteshanger Country Park, near Deal, is a rewilded coal mine slag heap that has reverted to nature over time.

These recent habitats are now showing signs of degrading.

Wildlife presenter, filmmaker and conservationist, Richard Taylor-Jones, who lives close to the country park, hopes to find a way to stop this saying: "The future of wildlife at Betteshanger Country Park has been a problem for many years.

"I have been pushing for a plan that uses The Seahive and the hotel development to fund long-term, long-lasting management of the wildlife at the park and beyond, especially for turtle doves.

“I think the proposal now officially on the table is a compromise that works, nature does get some significant wins out of this.

"I have been speaking directly to those that represent both sides of the debate and I urge everyone to see this as a moment to find a way forward for Betteshanger Country Park and not go back to an uncertain future that has haunted it and its wildlife for decades.”

If approved, The Seahive and the hotel will be built alongside the park's existing visitor centre, mining museum and outdoor activities.

While just 10% of the park will be developed, 22% will be dedicated to "nature only" areas, which will be managed under RSPB guidance for turtle doves and will be where lizard orchids are also moved.

A full-time wildlife warden will also be appointed to ensure the wildlife management plan is being delivered effectively.

If granted planning permission, the surf lagoon and hotel developments would privately fund all the ecological mitigation, habitat creation and biodiversity enhancements proposed.

Betteshanger Country Park has been contacted for comment.