A far-right group, The Woodlander Initiative (TWI), led by veteran fascist Simon Birkett, is facing scrutiny from Powys Council in Wales over unauthorized construction of two log cabins on a five-acre site. The group, which aims to establish racially segregated communities, has raised £235,000 towards its goal of purchasing land across Britain. TWI's activities mirror those of the American Return To The Land (RTTL) movement, which has created a white separatist enclave in Arkansas, and RTTL founder Eric Orwoll has stated an alliance with TWI.
The woodland site in Llanafan Fawr, which includes a steep field and dense woodland, has had two unfinished wooden cabins built on it. Additionally, tents and a wooden latrine are present on the perimeter. Powys Council confirmed that no planning applications have been submitted for the site, nor has there been an application for a change of use from agriculture to leisure or tourism, potentially placing the group in breach of planning regulations. A council spokesperson stated that the planning department will investigate the concerns and take appropriate action.
Despite claims from TWI that it is not a political organization and that anyone is welcome, the group is supported by Patriotic Alternative, described as Britain's largest neo-Nazi group. TWI leader Simon Birkett, a former member of the British National Party and National Front, has spoken at Patriotic Alternative events. Mark Collett, leader of Patriotic Alternative, has promoted TWI's land-buying scheme as a way for nationalists to pool resources to establish "indigenous heartlands."
Local residents in Llanafan Fawr, a village with a population of 470, have expressed concern about the group's objectives and political background, though no formal complaints have been lodged with the council. Some locals noted that the area is already largely a "white's only" county. One farmer, John Weedon, whose land borders the TWI site, stated he has had no issues with the group and they "seem ok."
Dr. William Allchorn, an expert on the British far-right from Anglia Ruskin University, described the land-buying strategy as a broader tactic for fascist groups aiming to create separate white enclaves or parallel societies, potentially involving paramilitary training. He highlighted the parallels with similar efforts in the United States, Germany, and South Africa. Allchorn suggested that the shift in focus towards land acquisition by British far-right groups since the pandemic aligns with an ideological vision of excluding minorities and migrants. TWI's messaging has been mixed, with a sign at the entrance reading "Welcome to the Woods" while another warns of "No Admittance" and a threat of a £100,000 fine for trespassing, referencing "federal authorities" which do not exist in the UK, indicating American influence.