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Far-right group faces scrutiny over 'white community' construction in Wales
🇬🇷 Greece /Energy & Infrastructure

Far-right group faces scrutiny over 'white community' construction in Wales

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Far-right activists are facing scrutiny from Powys County Council in Wales for building structures without planning permission.
  • The group, Woodlander Initiative, aims to create a "white community" and has raised significant funds for land acquisition.
  • The council is investigating potential breaches of planning regulations, while residents express concern over the group's political motives.

Far-right activists in Wales are under investigation by Powys County Council for undertaking construction work without the necessary permits. The group, known as the Woodlander Initiative (TWI), led by veteran fascist Simon Birkett, is reportedly attempting to establish an American-style "white community" in the Welsh countryside.

TWI has raised £235,000 towards a £1 million goal to purchase land across Britain. According to reports, this initiative mirrors the American movement Return To The Land (RTTL), which has established segregated white settlements. RTTL founder Eric Overmyer stated his organization is collaborating with TWI, which has already erected two wooden cabins on land purchased from a farmer in the village of Llanfihangel Nant Melan, Powys.

everyone is welcome to visit, camp, and help with the work.

— Woodlander InitiativeThe group's statement denying intentions to create an exclusively 'white' community.

The group denies seeking to create an exclusively "white" community, claiming "everyone is welcome to visit, camp, and help with the work." However, they face potential conflict with Powys Council, which confirmed no building permit applications have been submitted for the five-acre site. TWI has also not applied for a change of land use from agricultural to tourism or recreational, potentially violating planning regulations.

there is no recent history of permissions for this specific spot and the relevant service will investigate the concerns and take appropriate measures.

— Powys Council spokespersonThe council confirmed the lack of permits and stated an investigation would occur.

Local residents have voiced concerns about the political background and intentions of their new neighbors. A local farmer noted continuous construction activity and the presence of workers on site. While no official complaints have been lodged, residents are uneasy. A council spokesperson stated that the relevant department will investigate the concerns and take appropriate action.

Despite TWI's claims of not being a political organization, it receives support from Patriotic Alternative, described as Britain's largest neo-Nazi group. The Welsh Parliament's ruling party, Plaid Cymru, has stated, "Fascists are not welcome in Wales." Residents of Llanfihangel Nant Melan, a village of 470 people, question why their area was chosen, noting Powys is already a predominantly "white" county. They also confirmed that both workers and visitors at a September event were all white.

fascists are not welcome in Wales.

— Plaid CymruThe Welsh Parliament's ruling party condemned the group's presence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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