Future of major Swindon sports venues to be decided
The Oasis has been around for 50 years, Abbey Stadium for 75
The futures of the Oasis leisure centre and Abbey Stadium will be decided tonight.
The redevelopment plans have been recommended for approval by planning officers - despite more than 300 objections submitted for the Oasis leisure centre alone.
The planning committee’s meeting is set to take place despite an active Asset of Community Value application by Save Oasis Swindon.
Neil Robinson, leader of Save Oasis Swindon, told Greatest Hits Radio: “I think we’re doing all we can to and the endgame will be soon but let’s just try one more time to it listed as an Asset of Community Value, the hall in particular.”
It is the campaign group’s third Asset of Community Value application this year.
While the dome and pool are already listed, it is the group’s goal to also protect the Oasis sports hall.
The latest application, they said, is based on new figures that developers Seven Capital revealed when they turned down the second Asset of Community Value application.
“Between £5m and £11m to knock down and build a new one seems excessive”, Mr Robinson added.
“Sport England said on their website that a brand-new sports hall the same size as the Oasis could be built for only £4m.
“So, now we’ve got these figures, it’s really interesting. We’re now going to dispute and say that those figures are too high. And also, Swindon has got a track record of having community trusts that do successfully operate and apply for grants, so that’s why it should be approved.”
The proposals currently include the dome and the pool as well as 700 flats in eight tower blocks on the Oasis site and two industrial or warehouse units across the road.
The planning committee will also discuss the future of Abbey Stadium.
The site used to be home to Swindon Speedway and still runs greyhound races but is set to be turned into houses and community facilities as well as open green spaces and play parks after its closure later this year.
The Swindon Needs Speedway campaign group had also tried to protect the facilities through an Asset of Community Value application, but Swindon Borough Council rejected the bid alongside the Oasis application.
The plans for Abbey Stadium have also been recommended for approval.
The planning committee meeting is due to start at 6pm, with the Oasis to be discussed first, followed by the redevelopment for the Abbey Stadium site.