CHARLOTTE Church is facing a council investigation for an alleged breach of planning permission as she looks to open a school at her home – but the singer says she’s done nothing wrong.

The Vale council has launched an enforcement probe after complaints that an annex of Ms Church’shome in Dinas Powys has allegedly been set up as a school without planning permission.

These claims have been denied by Ms Church, who said she is operating within the law.

She says internal works have been done to the annex but they have “not changed the character” of the building.

The council is yet to decide whether or not it will take formal action – but could in theory issue notices telling Ms Church to either stop or reverse any unauthorised work.

As the Penarth Times reported, the musician and activist plans to open a school for 20 local children – which will be based at her home only for the first year. 

The council’s enforcement investigation at the time of writing is still ongoing.

The non-fee-paying school, for children aged between nine and 12, would be “democratic” and give children a say on how it’s run – including the long-term location of the school.

She said: “As far as I’m concerned I’m not aware of any breach of planning. This is a charity venture. It’s about providing a wonderful education for children who may have been struggling in mainstream and providing an alternative that doesn’t cost anything. We’re trying to do something which is beneficial to the community.”

Dinas Powys Community Council and councillor Andrew Robertson have objected to the plans, raising fears over traffic and noise.

Ms Church has said just one vehicle will be needed to take children to and from the school.

She said: “We have sent out a letter to our neighbours in the hope they can come to us if they have any problems.

“We had a really positive meeting. We talked about a lot of the issues regarding who has complained and it’s a very small group of people.

“As compared to the picture painted for them by neighbours, [the council] were surprised at what we were doing and how compliant we’re already being.

“We’re hopeful of a positive outcome but we don’t know what’s going to happen.

“We have had thousands of messages of support from emails and twitter messages. Mostly it’s people seeing it’s such a positive thing we’re doing.”

Marcus Goldsworthy, head of planning and regeneration at Vale of Glamorgan Council, said:  “A planning application has been submitted for the temporary use of a former residential annex as a school.

“The application remains under consideration and planning officers have met with the applicant and her agents to discuss the further information that is required to support the application, and allow it to be fully considered.

“It is unfortunate that the applicant has apparently decided to commence the change of use prior to obtaining all the necessary consents and the council reserves the right to take further action if the required information is not forthcoming,” he said.