Charlotte Church's Forest School Faces Closure Over Planning Breach
The Awen Project, a forest school established by singer Charlotte Church and her spouse Jonathan Powell in 2019, faces potential closure over environmental issues. Located on a former pig farm in Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan, the school opened in 2024 without the necessary planning permission. An application for retrospective approval submitted in October 2025 was denied by the council, which cited concerns about noise, the impact on local residents, pedestrian safety due to inadequate parking, and the failure to protect green infrastructure. Church has filed an appeal with the Welsh government's Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), which has yet to schedule a hearing. The school previously operated in Cwm George and Casehill Woods but lost its license in 2023 due to health and safety violations.
Key facts
- Charlotte Church founded the Awen Project with her husband Jonathan Powell in 2019.
- The Awen Project opened in 2024 without planning permission in Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan.
- Retrospective planning permission was refused by the council in October 2025.
- Council concerns included noise, impact on residents, pedestrian dangers, and lack of green infrastructure enhancement.
- Church has appealed to the Welsh government's Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).
- The school is free and accepts donations.
- Previously based in Cwm George and Casehill Woods with Woodland Trust permission, revoked in 2023 due to breaches.
- PEDW confirmed receipt of the appeal but no hearing date has been fixed.
Entities
Artists
- Charlotte Church
- Jonathan Powell
Institutions
- Awen Project
- Woodland Trust
- Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW)
- Welsh government
Locations
- Wenvoe
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Cwm George
- Casehill Woods
- Dinas Powys
- Wales
- United Kingdom