An outdoor learning project set up by Welsh singer Charlotte Church could be forced to close following complaints about "rude" children and dangerous parking.

The Awen Project, which Church describes as "a free-to-attend democratic school in the woods", has operated from a site in Wenvoe, near Cardiff, without proper permissions since 2024.

A retrospective application submitted by Church's charity for a change of use was rejected by Vale of Glamorgan Council, with officials pointing to concerns over transport safety and noise pollution.

Council planners also found it had not been demonstrated that the scheme would "conserve and enhance green infrastructure".

Jonathan Field, described by the project as a "tribal elder", has appealed against the decision to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales.

Objecting to the development, Paul and Samantha Edwards said they had “witnessed parents vehicles parking illegally” and said children could be heard screaming and shouting, claiming they “have been ‘rude’ to neighbours”.

They said: “These unneighbourly behaviours are detrimental to the amenities of local residents.”

Mr Field strongly refuted the accusations, adding: “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.

“The accusation of unneighbourly behaviours is unfortunately pure projection – totally unfounded and with zero evidence.”

Cardiff-born Church, 40, released her first album, Voice Of An Angel, when she was 12.

Since then, she has released more music, appeared on TV – including her own chat show in the Noughties, The Charlotte Church Show – and in 2025 was part of the cast on The Celebrity Traitors.

She said she started the Awen Project to offer a “more nature-based, more humane, more natural [education]”.

It is open to children aged 11 to 16 who are primarily electively home educated.

The appeal form states the site in Wenvoe remains undeveloped, beyond minor removable temporary structures – including a welfare unit, a canvas shelter and a compost toilet.

Mr Field said 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 revoked the Awen Project’s access to a previous site due to breaches of health and safety.

The Awen Project has been approached for comment.