An architect who says he was inspired to work in designing leisure buildings by a visit to the Oasis as a student is supporting a bid to get the closed centre listed.

Robert Guy, a partner of Bristol firm Arturus Architects, and has worked on such schemes as the stadium proposals for Bristol Rovers FC, the Gloucestershire CCC's County Ground to host one-day cricket internationals and Bracknell’s Coral Reef pool.

He said he is all in favour of listing the 1970s building in North Star after an application was made to Historic England.

Campaigners are unhappy with a proposed transformation by landlord Seven Capital that would see the iconic dome replaced with a more modern-looking facility.

The company and Swindon Borough Council say the dome – which houses the lagoon pool and flumes – is inefficient and expensive to heat.

Mr Guy said: “It’s my belief that there must be a way to retain this unique feature. We have more lightweight materials available than when it was built. And, if it is structurally sound, it can be clad to give a much better thermal performance than it had.

“The type of material used for the Eden Project would be a most suitable material as it’s lightweight and easy to use.

“At a time where keeping and reusing is being promoted as the best way of preserving the embodied carbon within a building, it would make sense to keep this building. I understand that the building is at risk of demolition without the listing.

"The pool itself is also worthy of including in the listing. There are fewer examples of wave pools in operation and again they may disappear entirely.”

Mr Guy added: “The Oasis is the last remaining example of a leisure pool from the 70s – all others have been demolished or (had) substantial changes. It also happens to be the best example that embodies the aims of the originators and is unique in its form.

“If this building is not retained, then the whole building type will have disappeared.”

Seven Capital put forward eye-catching CGIs for a new building on site in March – but they were criticised by campaigners as well as Labour councillors, who said the plans lacked detail.

Listing the Oasis does not necessarily prevent modifications but it would prevent knocking the centre down and starting again.

The centre closed in November with former operator GLL saying it was no longer viable.