Charlotte Church's free forest school near Cardiff is at risk of closure after its planning application was refused amid neighbour complaints and parking concerns.
The Awen Project, which the singer describes as "a free-to-attend democratic school in the woods", has been operating from a site in Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan, without the required permissions since 2024.
The charity, founded by Ms Church, submitted a retrospective application to Vale of Glamorgan Council for a change of use, but it was rejected, with authorities citing concerns over transport safety and noise disturbance.
Council concerns and appeal
The council also determined that the project had failed to demonstrate that the location would "conserve and enhance green infrastructure".
The decision has been challenged and taken to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) by Jonathan Field, identified by the Awen Project as a "tribal elder".
In opposing the development, neighbours Paul and Samantha Edwards said they had "witnessed parents' vehicles parking illegally" and reported hearing children screaming and shouting, alleging they "have been rude to neighbours".
They said: "These unneighbourly behaviours are detrimental to the amenities of local residents."
Project's response
Mr Field dismissed the allegations, stating: "The fact that children make sound when they are learning, whether that is singing and playing instruments or making excited cries at having discovered something that chimes with their passions, is a terrible reason to argue against them having a place to learn."
He added: "The accusation of unneighbourly behaviours is unfortunately pure projection – totally unfounded and with zero evidence."
Ms Church, 40, said she established the Awen Project to provide a "more nature-based, more humane, more natural [education]". The project welcomes children aged 11 to 16 who are primarily electively home educated.
Impact on children
The appeal form states that the Wenvoe site remains undeveloped, apart from minor removable temporary structures, including a welfare unit, a canvas shelter and a compost toilet.
Mr Field stated in the appeal: "The refusal of planning permission places this learning community at risk of immediate and severe disruption.
"Many of the children attending have previously struggled in mainstream education and have now found stability, confidence, and purpose at the Awen Project.
"Removing access to this setting will cause significant emotional and educational harm."
In 2023, the Woodland Trust withdrew the Awen Project's access to a former site due to breaches of health and safety. The Awen Project has been contacted for comment.
