Planners in Swindon have approved plans to restore the Grade II-listed dome at the Oasis Leisure Centre.
Owner SevenCapital had applied for listed building consent to restore and reglaze the famous 1970s dome and swimming pool which were given listed status in 2021, thwarting a plan by Swindon Borough Council and the developer to redevelop the entire site.
SevenCapital, in conjunction with the council, is now working on a further planning application to develop the vacant site to include the dome and pool and bring them back into use.
Leader of the council Cllr David Renard said: “I am delighted the listed building consent for the dome has been approved as this is an important first step towards our goal of seeing the Oasis reopened for families in Swindon to enjoy.
“However, there is still much work to be done. The cost of bringing the Oasis back into use is around three times higher than when SevenCapital first brought forward its plans for a brand-new, modern leisure centre due to the constraints of maintaining the existing dome structure now it has been listed.
“This is why SevenCapital is working on proposals to bring forward a regeneration scheme for the whole site which will help mitigate this considerable extra cost.
“Our recent unsuccessful bid for Levelling Up funding was an option we were exploring to help offset the huge financial challenge in delivering an upgraded Oasis, but it was never Plan A as some have suggested. We knew there would be fierce competition for the funding, and so it proved, but we had to try.
“Following the listing, the sole focus has been on SevenCapital delivering a viable and sustainable scheme so people can use the slides and swimming facilities for many years to come. This has not changed. The restoration of the Oasis remains a priority for the council.”
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