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Charlotte Church’s ‘plans to build an eco retreat hit with a setback by highway officials’

Charlotte Church's 'plans to build an eco retreat hit with a setback by highway officials' 2

Charlotte Church has reportedly been hit by a setback in her dream to build an eco-friendly wellness retreat in Wales, after warning she’s poured her life savings into the project.

According to The Times, the singer is facing a battle with highway officials, who warn her plans could cause chaos on quiet country lanes, after planning to convert Rhydoldog House.

Charlotte previously splashed out £1.5 million on purchasing the 16th-century mansion in Elan Valley in the hope that she can transform it into a swanky retreat, offering activities including yoga, hiking and cold-water swimming.

Snag: Charlotte Church has reportedly been hit by a setback in her dream to build an eco-friendly wellness retreat in Wales, after warning she's poured her life savings into the project

Snag: Charlotte Church has reportedly been hit by a setback in her dream to build an eco-friendly wellness retreat in Wales, after warning she’s poured her life savings into the project

Her costs to renovate the property, where designer Laura Ashley previously lived, are said to have ballooned to £1.2 million.

Now Charlotte is facing objections from the highways department at Powys County Council, who have warned that there is an ‘unacceptable risk’ for drivers on the narrow lane driving up to the 47-acre estate.

A report submitted to the planning department allegedly says ‘actual vehicle movements generated by this proposal would be significantly higher than the 22 per day quoted [by the plans]’. 

At odds: The singer is facing a battle with highway officials, who warn her plans could cause chaos on quiet country lanes, after planning to convert Rhydoldog House

At odds: The singer is facing a battle with highway officials, who warn her plans could cause chaos on quiet country lanes, after planning to convert Rhydoldog House

Concerns were also raised by environment agency Natural Resources Wales, who fear that bar breeding sites and the nearby River Wye could be damaged. 

A decision on the renovations will be put to the local authority’s planning committee at the end of January, with a statement sent on Charlotte’s behalf stating she has a’mbition for the site to be carbon neutral.’ 

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Charlotte Church and Powys County Council for comment.

Charlotte will document the process on her new TV show, Charlotte’s Dream Build, which begins on January 11, with the show helping to raise funds for the property.

Rhydoldog Houses boasts seven bedrooms with stunning views of the surrounding countryside, and also has a 200-year-old barn which will be turned into guests houses, as well as a large hall for gatherings.

Expensive: Her costs to renovate the property, where designer Laura Ashley previously lived, are said to have ballooned to £1.2 million

Expensive: Her costs to renovate the property, where designer Laura Ashley previously lived, are said to have ballooned to £1.2 million

Charlotte previously confessed that she has ‘spent her life savings’ on the project, and was also given £300,000 by her parents towards the renovations. 

Back in June, Charlotte revealed that applications were open to share in her dream of ‘a system of non-hierarchical participatory democracy’ at the home, which dates back to the 15th Century.

Her aim is to build a ‘zero-emissions, off-grid’ healing retreat centre with spiritual healing practices such as sound ceremony and forest bathing 

She said: ‘There’s 47 acres of magical wonderousness in mid Wales. We are going to set up a small democratic community here for the next year basically.

‘We are going to be focussed on different wellbeing practices like meditation and reconnection with nature. Probably do a bit of chanting at dawn.

‘Send us an application if you are interested in living in a community, doing things a bit differently and reconnecting with yourself, with community and with nature.’

Lavish: Charlotte previously splashed out £1.5 million on purchasing the 16th-century mansion in Elan Valley in the hope that she can transform it into a swanky retreat

Lavish: Charlotte previously splashed out £1.5 million on purchasing the 16th-century mansion in Elan Valley in the hope that she can transform it into a swanky retreat

Charlotte reportedly splashed out £1.5million on the estate that has seven bedrooms and a 200-year-old barn that will be converted into a large hall for gatherings and events.

The house currently gets 80 per cent of its energy from an onsite hydro-mill and there are plans to install solar panels to make up the other 20 per cent.

Charlotte expects the work to convert the property into a retreat to take 12 months – and aims to complete it around June 2022.

She said: ‘You will need to tell us about your skills, experience, values, and why you want to be a part of this project. No skill is without value, so please declare all skills when applying for a position.’

Big money: She previously confessed that she has 'spent her life savings' on the project, and was also given £300,000 by her parents towards the renovations

Big money: She previously confessed that she has ‘spent her life savings’ on the project, and was also given £300,000 by her parents towards the renovations

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