Controversial decision made over Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre
Shouts of ‘shame’ rang out from members of the public as Swindon Borough Council approved plans to rebuild the Oasis without a sports hall
Last updated 9th Jul 2025
Shouts of ‘shame’ rang out from members of the public as Swindon Borough Council approved plans to rebuild the Oasis without a sports hall.
But the council’s planning committee went on to refuse permission for 700 flats to be built on the site, which could be crucial to the funding of the leisure centre refurbishment.
It was apparent that most of the public attending were opposed to the plans submitted by the centre’s de facto owner and leaseholder, Seven Capital.
The owner’s proposals, which had been recommended by planning officers for approval, would see the listed dome and pool kept; the sports hall would be demolished and a new ‘dry side’ built, including a café, a gym, an indoor crazy golf course and a ten-pin bowling alley.
The loss of the famous hall, which was used as a concert venue as well, was the sticking point for the protesters and some councillors.
Ward member Councillor Sudha Sri Nukana drew loud applause when she spoke against the proposal and said: “It’s hard to see what we will have to celebrate on the 50th anniversary – that makes people sad and angry. Do the right thing and refuse this application.”
Speaking for Seven Capital, Steve Handley said the company had amended its plans after extensive public consultation. He said: “We can bring back to life the Oasis to benefit the community and Swindon as a whole, in a sustainable format, safeguarding its future for years to come.”
Opposition also came from the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, Swindon Pickleball Club, and the Save Oasis Swindon campaign.
Cabinet members Councillors Kevin Small, Emma Bushell and Marina Strinkovsky spoke in favour of the proposals.
Councillor Matthew Courtliff said he was concerned by the loss of the sports hall and said: “It wasnt just a sports hall, it was a live leisure venue, with a capcity of 3,000 standing and 1,600 standing – it hosted live entertainmenes, boxing nights, like others here, I was first elected in the hall.”
Cllr Courtliff made a motion to refuse permission because the loss of the hall was contrary to a number of local plan policies. It was defeated by seven votes to three.
A counter motion put by Councillor Claire Crilley to approve the plans was passed by seven votes to three.
A specific listed building consent to reclad the dome in a more modern material-similar to that used at the Eden Project in Cornwall, was granted.
As well as two applications for the refurbishment and rebuilding of the leisure centre itself, Seven Capital had also put in plans for 707 flats, in eight tower blocks, to be built on the site.
And across the road on the former Clare’s Factory site, long-since cleared, the company applied for permission to build two large industrial buildings, to be used for manufacturing, logistics or as data centres.
Chris Barry of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust said: “This is the application we are most concenred about – the flats go right up to the boundary and this would be prejudicial to the delivery of the canal.”
Councillor Daniel Adams said there was no plan to add medical or education facilities or improve nearby roads to serve the residents of the hundreds of flats.
Cllr Strinkovsky made an impassioned speech saying there is a desperate need for more housing in Swindon and the country at large.
Councillor Gary Sumner proposed refusal of the plan, because of the lack of affordable housing, the lack of a contribution to education and insufficient cycle parking and infrastructure.
Other committee members were concerned by the lack of affordable housing and contributions to education.
The proposal for the flats was refused by seven votes to none, with three abstentions.
The decisions to approve the plans now give the faintest hopes that the centre might be open at some point in 2026, 50 years since it was opened.
Seven Capital’s chief executive, Damien Siviter, told councillors earlier this year that it would take 18 months from planning consent to get to re-opening the centre.
The refusal of the plan for the flats does throw some doubt on how Seven Capital might pay for the scheme.
The centre has been closed since late 2020. As the country went into the October and November lockdown, the operators GLL, trading as Better, handed the keys back to Seven Capital, saying they would not re-open it when lockdown was lifted.
The company, which also runs other leisure centres around Swindon, said it could not make enough money running the centre and specifically said the costs of heating the domed areas over the pool were much too high.
Seven Capital submitted plans for an entirely new building in 2021 without the famous dome and outside slides, and also without the sports hall.
That proposal was withdrawn after a campaign to have the dome and pool listed – and therefore – protected, succeeded in early 2022.
Since then, a campaign has grown, pressuring both Swindon Borough Council and Seven Capital to add the sports hall back into the proposals.
The campaign, and bodies such as Sports England said its loss would be detrimental to the ability of people in Swindon to take exercise and play sport.
Both the company and the council’s cabinet had repeatedly said that there has been no interest from potential operators of the centre in taking it on with a sports hall.
The Local Democracy Reporter has previously reported that Better is again the favoured operator for the new centre if and when it re-opens.