Wildlife expert Chris Packham says he is willing to speak to country park bosses after they added a new nature reserve for turtle doves to £50 million development plans.

The naturalist, presenter and author previously called the plans to build a 120-bed hotel and surf lagoon, called The Seahive, at Betteshanger Country Park, "catastrophic" because of its impact on nature.

The project has proved controversial since it was announced two years ago with protestors from Friends of Betteshanger also voicing their objections.

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.

Now, in response to the feedback, a new 15-acre off-site reserve called Hammill Field has been set aside to create a new home for the bird, which is a protected species.

The location is 6km north-west of the country park and has already been identified as suitable for supporting breeding.

It will include scrub and hedges for nesting, two ponds to supply fresh water for bathing and drinking, and areas of arable field margins and wild bird seed for foraging.

Commenting on the updates to the proposals, Mr Packham, said he is now "open to dialogue" with those behind the scheme.

"I am keen to explore any mitigation where nature is the overall net winner," he said.

"It has to work for wildlife as well as for people, especially now in the midst of a biodiversity crisis.

"I am happy to meet with the team, hear their plans, consider their proposals and work towards a solution which meets 21st century environmental needs.”

Hammill Field will be managed for a minimum of 30 years to ensure the long-term viability of supporting the turtle dove population.

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.

Stuart O’Leary, head of Betteshanger Country Park, said: “For decades there has been no environmental management scheme for Betteshanger Country Park, including open mosaic habitats and grasslands, due to a lack of funding by its previous owners.

"We have given a lot of thought to how we can not only minimise the impact of the proposed developments, but also provide an overall biodiversity net gain.

“Having a wildlife warden on-site delivering the wildlife management plan will be a huge step forward for the park and this paired with the off-site nature reserve for turtle doves will ensure real benefit to local wildlife and species.

"Ultimately for this to be possible, we would need the income from the surf lagoon and hotel, which will fund these environmental measures.”