Swindon Oasis campaigners 'absolutely elated' after Leisure Centre dome is listed
We have been getting reaction following the listing of the iconic dome
Last updated 22nd Dec 2021
Campaigners who have spent 13 months calling for Swindon's Oasis to re-open say they feel "absolute elation", after part of the Leisure Centre was officially listed.
The swimming pool dome has been made Grade II, meaning Historic England deems it to be of "special interest".
There is now an extra level of consideration in the planning process, before any changes can be carried out on the dome.
Angela Atkinson, from the Save Oasis Swindon committee, has told us the North Star site "absolutely deserves" its new status.
"It's an iconic structure. It's now the last of its type left, of that particular era. It's architecturally significant.
"What Swindon needs to do now, is see this (the listing) as an opportunity. Not a problem, (but) an opportunity to do something different and good," she added.
What does the listing mean for the Oasis' future?
SevenCapital, the site's leaseholder, last month revealed it had submitted plans to Swindon Borough Council for a "revived Oasis". The property investment firm proposed to renovate and re-open the facility to visitors.
However, these plans saw the original Oasis dome dismantled and replaced. Both SevenCapital and Swindon Borough Council, the latter being the land owner, therefore opposed the listing application.
Speaking to us before the announcement, SevenCapital's Managing Director said making the Oasis Grade II would "more than likely impact upon our proposals and certainly impact upon the timetables for getting the Centre up-and-running".
"We don't believe it's worthy of listing," Angus Michie added.
Less than a month after those comments, Historic England confirmed the Oasis swimming pool dome had in fact become Grade II.
Councillor David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, has told Greatest Hits Radio that decision is a major hurdle to re-opening the centre.
"We have always been absolutely committed to a new, fit-for-purpose leisure facility on the site of the Oasis for local residents and visitors to enjoy, but there is no doubt the listing of the dome will make that process a lot more difficult, not to mention considerably more expensive".
The listing application was made by a member of the public, whose identity has been protected for legal reasons, in the immediate aftermath of the Oasis being closed indefinitely in November 2020.
After more than seven months of deliberations and inspections of the site, Historic England recommended the listing to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The timing of that decision-making process was hampered by lockdown restrictions.
The final outcome was confirmed by the DCMS Minister on December 2nd.
'It was really pioneering and fully merited listing'
Rachel Williams is Historic England's listing team leader for the South West.
Having ran the group which assessed the Oasis application, she told us some of the significant factors behind the final call.
"Things are listed when they are found to be of special architectural or historic interest - and I think the Oasis just has that in spades.
"The dome itself ... is a space frame and is really technically sophisticated and has withstood that corrosive pool environment really really well.
"The leisure pool, the fun pool if you want, was something that was created in the late 1960s, early 70s. The Oasis was the fourth such building to be built.
"It's the earliest that now survives in anything like its original form and has all of the key ingredients that you'd expect from this sort of facility ... the sloping beach-like edges, the wave machine.
"It was really pioneering and fully merited listing," she said.
Swindon Council has now vowed to work alongside SevenCapital - and attempt to plan a "viable and sustainable" modern facility on the Oasis site.