Fears over housing plans for Oasis leisure centre

Campaigners have called for greater support to reopen an "iconic" leisure venue amid "unsustainable" housing plans.

The Oasis in Swindon, Wiltshire, famous for its lagoon pool beneath a domed roof, closed in 2020. Last year, councillors approved plans for a developer to refurbish it, but refused permission for 700 flats to be built there.

During a drop-in event where people discussed the Swindon Local Plan, a blueprint that will shape future housing plans over the next 20 years, residents said they were disappointed about Oasis's uncertain future and called for more action.

Swindon Borough Council's local plan documents state a top priority is to support the delivery of new leisure facilities.

The Local Plan will guide the council's decisions on new homes, infrastructure, green spaces and community facilities over the next 20 years.

A public consultation on the proposals will close on 12 November.

In 2025, Seven Capital was granted permission to refurbish the Oasis, which included keeping the swimming pool and dome.

But the developer was told to go back to the drawing board when it came to building 700 homes on the site.

The developer is expected to submit a revised planning application and has already signed a deal with an operator to run the leisure site.

Neil Robinson, the lead campaigner of the Save Oasis Swindon campaign, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the council needed to take action to ensure the town had enough leisure facilities to support new housing.

"I'm sad to see a lot of the leisure sites being allocated to housing, such as the Oasis.

"It's not sustainable. We are already creaking at the seams with our infrastructure.

"Like everyone, I want to see the Oasis back and reopened. However, there is a concern that there is going to be no sports hall.

"They only want it gone because they want to squeeze more houses onto the site," he added.

Speaking in April, Seven Capital chiefs said they remained committed to bringing the "iconic community venue" back into use.

Issues around houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in Swindon were also discussed at the meeting.

Shelagh Gough, a resident of Old Town, said HMOs were "extremely useful" for young people who cannot afford deposits for houses, but said some had caused issues such as anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping.

Tim Thomas, lead planning policy officer at the council, added that the most positive part of the plan is the development of the town centre, which aims to "bring life back to the town" and improve facilities.

Under the proposals, the council wants to "strengthen its retail core" and "support the delivery of new leisure and cultural facilities".

Up to 3,800 new homes could also be built in central Swindon.

"Proposals for development in the central area will contribute positively towards its enhancement," the Local Plan's documents state.

"And [create] regeneration as a vibrant and regionally important mixed-use cultural, commercial and leisure hub, where people enjoy living, working, shopping, and relaxing."

Swindon Borough Council and Seven Capital have been approached for comment.

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