Charlotte Church forest school could close over fears for the environment

The Traitors star founded the school with her husband Jonathan Powell in 2019.

Charlotte Church is photographed smiling and looking at the camera, with flowers and greenery behind her. She has blonde shoulder length hair and sunglasses on top of her head. She is wearing a green long sleeve dress.

Charlotte Church founded the Awen Project with her husband Jonathan Powell in 2019, hoping to "transform education" for children

A forest school set up by singer Charlotte Church on a former pig farm might have to close because of environmental fears.

The Awen Project opened in 2024 without planning permission in Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan.

The singer, who appeared on series one of Celebrity Traitors, applied for retrospective permission in October 2025, but that was refused.

The council raised concerns over the noise, impact on residents, and dangers to pedestrians because of insufficient parking. It also said the project failed to show how it would "conserve and enhance green infrastructure".

Church refused to comment, but has appealed to the Welsh government's Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

The Awen Project aims to give children an environment "where they feel championed to be themselves and follow their passions as active participants in a democratic community".

The school is free and accepts donations.

It was originally based in Cwm George and Casehill Woods, near Dinas Powys, with permission from the Woodland Trust.

But, in 2023, the charity revoked the license agreement because of "multiple breaches" of the permission granted which "posed health and safety concerns" for "visitors and wildlife".

In response, the project posted on social media that it had given its "best efforts to salvage" the partnership.

A council spokesperson said the application was refused because of "concerns regarding the sustainability" of the site's location and the "potential impact on neighbouring residents was another consideration".

There was also "insufficient supporting evidence to satisfy concerns around the potential impact of the proposal on biodiversity and the natural environment", the council said.

PEDW confirmed it had received the appeal, but said no date has been fixed for the hearing.

More top stories

  • Published7 hours ago Standing on high ground above a valley, Michael Sheen looks towards the camera with rolling hills and patchwork fields stretching into the distance. He is wearing a brown jacket with a green patterned jumper. Sheen has grey hair and facial hair. Strong afternoon sunlight and heavy clouds create dramatic contrasts across the rural landscape.
  • Published20 hours ago Two windmills side by side
  • Children look at a memorial for Dobby, a fictional house elf from the Harry Potter fantasy novels and films, at Freshwater West beach on November 6, 2022 in Castlemartin, United Kingdom.