• Swindon & Wiltshire Property
• Thursday July 10 2025

Oasis future plunged into doubt as councillors turn down apartment plans

The future of Swindon’s Oasis leisure centre – famed for its glass-domed lagoon swimming pool and flumes, and wave machine – has been plunged into doubt after councillors refused planning permission for 700 apartments on the site.

Developer and landlord Seven Capital wants to reopen the iconic leisure centre, which closed during the pandemic in 2020 and never reopened, but wants to build 710 flats in eight blocks on the site to fund the work.

Its plans would have meant the demolition of the sports hall – the venue for sporting events and live music concerts.

There were also fears that the apartments would be too close to the route of the former Wilts & Berks Canal, making the reopening of that stretch of the waterway impossible.

Following the council’s decision, Damien Siviter, group managing director at London and Birmingham-based SevenCapital, said the decision puts the company in a position where it might have to consider the viability of the whole scheme.

“We’re back to the drawing board,” he told local media.

The Oasis, which is a Grade II listed building, celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, although the doors might still be locked when it does so.

The future of Swindon’s Oasis leisure centre – famed for its glass-domed lagoon swimming pool and flumes, and wave machine – has been plunged into doubt after councillors refused planning permission for 700 apartments on the site.

Developer and landlord Seven Capital wants to reopen the iconic leisure centre, which closed during the pandemic in 2020 and never reopened, but wants to build 710 flats in eight blocks on the site to fund the work.

Its plans would have meant the demolition of the sports hall – the venue for sporting events and live music concerts.

There were also fears that the apartments would be too close to the route of the former Wilts & Berks Canal, making the reopening of that stretch of the waterway impossible.

Following the council’s decision, Damien Siviter, group managing director at London and Birmingham-based SevenCapital, said the decision puts the company in a position where it might have to consider the viability of the whole scheme.

“We’re back to the drawing board,” he told local media.

The Oasis, which is a Grade II listed building, celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, although the doors might still be locked when it does so.

Image courtesy of Seven Capital