PLANS to restore the iconic dome of Swindon’s Oasis Leisure Centre have been approved.

Building owners SevenCapital submitted an application seeking Listed Building Consent for the restoration and re-glazing of the sphere that encloses the swimming pool in what was described as a 'last hope' for the historic site.

The proposal explained that the structure's existing panels should be replaced with material developed in the 1970s for the American space program, and used at the Eden Project in Cornwall, which would prevent leaks while looking similar to the original dome.

The loss of the sports hall and uncertainty over the future of outdoor pitches prompted objections from Sport England, the FA, and Squash England.

The listed pool area and the dome are included in the proposals but the main sports hall - which has also been used as a polka music venue - does not feature in the plans for the rebuilt building.

This plan came about after the North Star leisure complex received Grade II listed status.

Swindon Advertiser: A proposed design for the refurbished and restored Oasis Leisure Centre domeA proposed design for the refurbished and restored Oasis Leisure Centre dome (Image: Swindon Borough Council)

The much-loved facility has fallen into disrepair since closing in November 2020, with urban explorers breaking in and fly-tippers dumping rubbish around the centre.

The listed status has made future renovations far more expensive, but council leader David Renard is hopeful that a suitable outline scheme for this redevelopment can be hashed out and the Oasis can be brought back into public use.

Coun 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."