Bid to make Oasis centre asset of community value

A campaign group which wants a leisure centre to become a community asset say current development plans will make it a "shadow of its former self".

Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre closed during the pandemic and is due to be redeveloped by leaseholders Seven Capital.

The firm plans to build 700 homes on the site while also restoring its dome and pool, which are listed. The proposals also include knocking down a sports hall without replacement.

Swindon Borough Council confirmed it is in the process of "determining" a nomination from campaign group Save Oasis Swindon for the leisure centre to become an asset of community value.

"We're concerned that without a hall and surrounded by flats, it's going to be a shadow of its former self," said Neil Robinson, from the campaign group.

He told the BBC the asset of community value application will "keep pressure on the council and Seven Capital to revisit these plans and include a hall in them".

The campaign group previously put an asset of community value bid covering just the sports hall, but this was rejected.

Speaking about that decision, the council's cabinet member for finance Kevin Small said the nomination "did not meet the required tests".

The campaign group has now put in a fresh bid for the wider site and says it has included further evidence.

Mr Robinson says he does not feel the current plans are enough for Swindon and its "iconic" leisure centre.

"It should be restore the Oasis leisure centre in full first - and then build the houses," he said. "Not reduce it."

The campaign group hopes people in Swindon would have a "little more control" over the centre's future if it did become an asset of community value, Mr Robinson said.

Seven Capital has not responded to the application.

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