Save Oasis Swindon campaigners renew welcome for Listed status

The Save Oasis Swindon Campaign Steering Group has issued a further response to the recent announcement of Grade II Listing for the building's iconic dome.

Following the announcement, Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard said the task of reopening the building - closed since last November - would be harder.

Owners SevenCapital recently submitted a plan for reopening which would have involved demolishing the dome.

The campaign steering group said in its statement: "While the SOS campaign did not apply to have the Oasis listed, it has both supported and fought for its listing and welcomes the 1 December listing decision to Grade II list the Oasis Dome and pool.

"Indeed, for the record, there were several months of virtual radio silence from both SBC and SevenCapital immediately after the Oasis closure. Communication by these key stakeholders improved in recent months and some actions have been taken. However, there remains on the table, several unresolved issues which we are keen to explore further.

"We would draw stakeholders’ (including members of the public) attention to the offer of support by Historic England to work through managing the listing requirements and are sure that this will include clarifying appropriate grant and funding sources specifically earmarked for listed buildings of this nature.
"SOS is hopeful that, after the waves have calmed of what may be ill-informed knee-jerk, negative reactions from several quarters, that a positive way forward will be found for Swindon generations to come. A way forward that will allow us all to enjoy a quality, reopened, accessible, affordable, domed Oasis Leisure Centre."

The statement continued: "We wonder whether SevenCapital might now resubmit a refreshed planning application with the dome included. In a key development this week, SOS has heard from SevenCapital that it is researching whether there is after all a way to make the Oasis viable with a refurbished dome – which we feel is the right thing to do.

"We look forward to working alongside SBC and SevenCapital, and hope for an early initial meeting to share opportunities and challenges resulting from this Listing decision.

"Our campaign is far from over – the focus is not just on restoring and reopening the Oasis, but campaigning to preserve the number of facilities a reopened Oasis will offer. People from across the UK are watching the Oasis developments very closely, so the pressure is on SBC to formulate a restoration plan with SevenCapital."