Public call to object to Oasis land sale until hall is saved

Open green space around the Oasis Centre and its car parks could be sold off to allow the building of flats surrounding the leisure centre.

Seven Capital wants to get rid of the sports hall and reconfigure the entrance and ‘dry side’ of the centre, and is seeking permission to build up to 700 flats in eight blocks surrounding it.

Those blocks would be built on what is public green space around the edges of the site including an old velodrome and BMX track, a skatepark, artificial football pitches and areas of woodland and grass.

It has already lodged planning applications to substantially refurbish the 49-year-old centre as well as keep the listed dome and pool,

Neil Robinson, of Save Oasis Swindon, wrote to the Adver to rally objections to the sale of the land so that it is kept under council ownership until the sports hall can be brought back.

(Image: Seven Capital)

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He said: "It is crucial that Swindon residents get their objection letters sent in by the end of the week (Saturday, May 3), against the disposal of the land to Seven Capital for high rise apartments.

"Before any land sale as controversial as this should be approved, the plans need to be heavily revised.

"We need to see a Sports Hall reinstated in the new plans for the Oasis, as currently one is not.

"The Oasis will be 4,200sq feet smaller, with reduced parking and will be a shadow of its former self - unable to offer indoor sports or live entertainment like it always has done for 50 years.

"Barely even classing itself as a leisure centre. Simply a bowling alley, mini golf, small gym and cafe, with no Hall.

"The Oasis is a vital community and cultural asset to Swindon, and I urge residents to please get their letters sent in fast, and in numbers.

(Image: Seven Capital)

"Why can’t the flats be positioned on the Claires site across the road instead? Because Seven Capital want to build two giant warehouses there as well.

"They should be restricted from building the warehouses and build the housing across the road from the Oasis, leaving the leisure land alone.

"Objections to the ‘disposal’ need to be made in writing to Head of Property Assets, Swindon Borough Council, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon SN1 2JH by May 3, 2025. You don’t have long."