Plans for revamped Oasis Leisure Centre submitted

- The proposals include a detailed plan to sensitively restore and re-open the Swindon Oasis, including the building’s iconic dome and wave pool
- Planning submission follows public consultation period which saw nearly 2,000 feedback responses
- Wider proposals will unlock investment needed and include outline plans for up to 707 new homes and employment space
- Refurbishment of the Swindon Oasis will be the first phase of delivery

Plans to refurbish the Oasis have been submitted, following a public consultation.

SevenCapital, the leaseholders of the site, opened a public consultation online between Wednesday 20 and Wednesday 27 November, with an in-person event on Tuesday 26 November, receiving in total 1,893 feedback form submissions.

The proposals include a detailed application that will revive the much-loved former leisure destination by sensitively restoring the iconic dome structure and delivering a modern wave machine, state-of-the-art aqua play, and teaching lane pool.

Domebusters slides will be replaced with a new intertube slide complex, representing an upgrade to the previous slides.

Following feedback during the consultation on plans to introduce a new wave ball and associated curved pool, SevenCapital is no longer pursuing this format and will instead replace the existing wave machine with a similar format wave machine. Whilst there will still be the need to improve the overall setting of the wet side of Oasis,  SevenCapital will also now look to retain the existing pool area, subject to necessary health and safety improvements. These changes have been carefully considered and can be achieved while reducing the cost of operating the previous pool setting and retaining as much of the original listed elements of the building as possible.   

Plans to include a new bowling alley, indoor golf, state-of-the-art gym, and café spaces remain within the proposals, with new outdoor all-weather pitches, known as Multi Use Games Areas, replacing the sports hall, which after significant consultation with leisure operators is not deemed sufficiently economical to replace.

SevenCapital has considered all feedback from the consultation, carefully, making adjustments where possible while considering advice from both heritage consultants and leisure operators on what is deemed necessary, viable and operationally sound.

If approved, the refurbishment of the Oasis will commence as the first phase of work.

Meanwhile, as part of a mixed-use masterplan, outline plans have also been submitted to deliver up to 707 new homes, public realm, and other amenities as part of a new neighbourhood with the Oasis at its heart. This masterplan has been carefully designed to maintain visibility of the iconic dome from all angles and is key to unlocking the investment required to complete the refurbishment of the Oasis.

Outline plans for two new commercial opportunities, which could support up to 630 new jobs, have also been submitted.

Both outline submissions for the homes and commercial elements remain at an early stage in the planning process and are currently indicative. Should they be approved, extensive work will then begin to agree on the most appropriate configuration, with further consultation to be carried out ahead of drawing up detailed plans.

Damien Siviter, Group Managing Director at SevenCapital, said: “We have taken the public consultation very seriously and accommodated updates to our detailed application for the Oasis where strong feeling has been evident and where it has been possible - in line with advice from both heritage and planning consultants, as well as leisure operators.

“We are confident that the plans we have brought forward for the Oasis, along with the wider site outline, will deliver a renewed, revived and exciting destination that marries both the Oasis’ heritage with long-term sustainability so that future generations will continue to enjoy this much-loved venue.”

Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “I am really pleased the plans for the Oasis are now in as it marks a significant milestone on the journey to getting the leisure centre back open for local people to enjoy.

“It is great that SevenCapital has listened to the feedback from the recent consultation and is looking to retain the existing pool area and wave machine. We now need to let the planning process run its course and, as part of that, people will have a another chance to have their say on the plans during the statutory consultation process. We expect the planning application to be determined by the Planning Committee in the spring.”