The Friends of the Health Hydro in Milton Road have appealed to the new Labour administration at Swindon Borough Council to rethink about plans to refurbish the centre.

The building is now closed for the first phase of a multi-million pound revamp, and planning permission for the refurbishment, which will see a new plant put in as well as new changing areas and a gym space created, was granted before the change of council at the May elections.

Now the Friends of the Health Hydro group has said there’s still time for a rethink.

The group said: “Swindon Borough Council can still change the plans for the Health Hydro as they stand - contracts are yet to be awarded. We are hoping that the new administration on Swindon Borough Council will take a fresh look and we are urging them to do so.

"These plans were drawn up without any consultation with the public in Swindon or any consideration of the public good. User groups and community groups were not involved. The plans were driven by the private interests of Greenwich Leisure Ltd and not in the best interests of the building or the people of Swindon.

"This building is of huge significance in the history of Swindon, the National Health Service and the Great Western Railway. It could, and should, play its part in the future of Swindon as a health and social hub and as part of a revitalised Railway Village.”

Among specific issues, the group said some money should be spent on bringing the small pool back into use, that changing facilities and routes to the pools should be separated by sex, and existing toilet and washing facilities should not be removed.

The new administration’s cabinet member for culture, art and heritage Marina Strinkovsky, said the council is "committed" to improving engagement with residents.

“The Health Hydro is one of our most historically important buildings and we very much want to hear people’s views on what they love about the building and how it can best meet the needs of those that use the leisure facility as we aim to make it sustainable in the years to come.

“This engagement will form part of a wider engagement with local residents and user groups on how we can make the most of our superb heritage assets. We will have more information soon about how and when residents can give their feedback.

“We appreciate the points raised by the Friends of the Health Hydro and we will continue to work with them to ensure the building has a successful future.”