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SevenCapital is one of the largest and fastest-growing, privately-owned property groups in the UK with a strong track record of delivery across the country. Their portfolio includes 10,000 residential homes, over 7 million sq ft of floorspace and is worth in excess of £2.1 billion. They are specialists in urban regeneration and have a reputation for realising the potential of underused locations by delivering high-quality residential homes and mixed-use developments through sensitive design. They own, manage and deliver developments from end to end to ensure high standards and quality at every stage.

Having opened in the mid-1970s, the Oasis Centre served as a focal point for the local community and the surrounding areas as a major leisure destination. It was a place for the community, friends, and family to come together, play and enjoy.

The Oasis Leisure Centre closed in November 2020. It has remained vacant since due to viability and building maintenance issues.

SevenCapital is bringing forward detailed plans for the refurbishment and re-opening of the Swindon Oasis, helping to once again make it a major destination in Swindon. Set beneath the iconic dome, SevenCapital will use the basis of the original pool to create a modern wave machine, state-of-the-art aqua play and a much-needed teaching lane pool. An array of new leisure spaces is also proposed, including a new bowling alley, indoor golf, state-of-the-art gym, and new café spaces. Outline plans, which could deliver up to 710 new homes, new employment space, and public realm, are also being submitted. These plans, which would be subject to further detailed planning consents, are shaped around placing Swindon Oasis as the centre piece of a wider placemaking approach in the area. SevenCapital has worked hard to develop these viable proposals which will sensitively restore the Oasis, significantly improve the facilities for generations to come, and offer the potential for a new vibrant neighbourhood.

SevenCapital recognises the importance of the Oasis Centre and has been working closely with Swindon Borough Council, Twentieth Century Society and Historic England to explore what proposals can be brought forward to see its restoration and reopening. The proposed option included in these proposals is to replace the covering of the dome, meaning the existing structure will be clad with a lightweight ‘skin’. The flexible material that we have chosen to re-clad the dome will not break. Therefore, the issue of leaks and inefficient thermal performance which exist will be eliminated, while the structural framework and architectural intention remain clear. The architecture, as seen in many examples, such as the Eden Project, will be a fitting evolution for this iconic structure. SevenCapital will revive and sensitively restore the iconic leisure destination and secure its future for generations to come through proposals that are sensitive and complementary to the Oasis’ protected heritage.

Swindon Oasis is an iconic architectural design, with its vibrant pool at its heart. Our plans use the basis of the original pool to create a modern wave machine, state-of-the-art aqua play and a much-needed teaching lane pool to create a high-quality leisure destination. Set beneath the restored dome structure, visitors would find a dynamic and exciting swimming facility, fit for the 21st century. From new slides to a modern wave machine, Oasis will once again be a major destination which the community can be proud.

As part of the refurbishment the iconic Domebusters slides will be replaced with a new intertube slide complex which will represent an upgrade to the previous slides, along with improved aquaplay and other water features.

As part of the refurbishment plans the Oasis will be designed to meet the demands of modern-day users. An array of leisure spaces are proposed, including a new bowling alley, indoor golf, state-of-the-art gym, and new café spaces. The provision of 2 new, outdoor, all-weather pitches, known as Multi Use Games Areas are also included, replacing the existing sports hall which is not thermally efficient and would require very significant investment to repair and upgrade.

The iconic dome of the Oasis has long-term structural flaws which means it leaks and so refurbishment is needed to return the Oasis to an attractive destination for the local community. SevenCapital has worked closely with Historic England to develop a proposal which is sensitive to the protected heritage of the building, whilst delivering something which can be enjoyed and cherished by the community.

Energy efficiency and low-carbon energy sources are at the heart of the regenerated Oasis’ design. With the use of solar panel arrays and air-source heat pumps, these measures will reduce the carbon footprint of the centre and lower energy costs to put it on a sustainable financial footing. As part of the development of the proposals for the new neighbourhood the creation of a connection with the natural environment has also been a key driver of the approach. The plans would establish green corridors to maintain and enhance existing pathways/desire lines and encourage greater permeability. This will enable residents and visitors the opportunity to discover a natural environment in the heart of Swindon. This includes creating green corridors throughout the site by maintaining and enhancing existing pathways. The new neighbourhood will be complemented by a range of new public realm and outdoor spaces, publicly accessible communal spaces and retained trees - maintained and enhanced by new planting to encourage biodiversity.

Our plans would deliver a new neighbourhood of up to 710 new homes with a mixture of one and two bedroomed apartments. These high-quality apartments will be situated within blocks of six to ten storeys sensitively placed throughout the site.

The new neighbourhood will be complete with a diverse range of amenities, expansive public realm, these will all be delivered as part of an outline planning application.

While the new neighbourhood will benefit from exceptional transport connections, including via Swindon Train Station, up to 260 car parking spaces will also be provided for new residents. These measures will ensure that there would be no significant adverse detrimental impact on the existing road network. The site also benefits from strong pedestrian and cycle links to the Town Centre and beyond, including the Western Flyer, which is a National Cycle Network Route.

Two commercial units are also proposed as part of a separate outline planning application. These will be for B8 use and could create up to 630 new jobs, with 90% of these being full time.

SevenCapital’s proposals present an opportunity to positively impact the lives of many local people. The proposals will refurbish and reopen the iconic Swindon Oasis, securing its future for generations to come as a major leisure location and drive local economic growth. As part of wider placemaking approach to delivering a vibrant and dynamic place in which uses compliment and add value, a new neighbourhood will also be created. This features high-quality homes needed in the town, new green spaces, two major commercial opportunities, and walkways helping to connect the area to the wider borough. Taken together the proposals will also support job creation for local people, from construction through to delivery and subsequent operation.

This scheme will support a significant number of new jobs through construction, with training and skill development opportunities for construction personnel. This will include apprenticeships. On completion, permanent jobs will be created to support the Swindon Oasis, while the two new commercial opportunities could support up to 630 new jobs, with 90% being full time employment opportunities.

SevenCapital’s proposals to refurbish and re-open Swindon Oasis as part of a wider mixed-use regeneration represents a major investment into the town. Through these ambitious proposals – which place Swindon Oasis at the heart – Seven Capital will help to drive local economic growth with a boost to visitor numbers and business activity in the area.

The public consultation will close on 27th November 2024 at 12pm. The project team and local authority will then carefully review all comments received on the proposals. The views of residents will be carefully balanced against the requirements of national and local planning policy, the views of planning officers and other statutory consultees before a final decision is made.

The proposals that will be submitted consist of a full detailed application for the refurbishment and re-opening of Swindon Oasis. Two further planning applications will be submitted in outline, one for the residential uses and another for the commercial uses. Any outline application means SevenCapital are setting out the principles of the design, but the specific details are not yet set in stone and will be subject to further detailed planning consents.

The proposals will shortly be submitted to Swindon Borough Council for consideration ahead of determination. It is anticipated that a decision will come in 2025.

The proposals are subject to determination by Swindon Borough Council. If approved through this process, steps will be subsequently taken to begin the process to refurbish and re-open of Swindon Oasis – this will be the first phase of any development. Specific details in relation to the outline application that forms part of the wider regeneration plans would be further developed by SevenCapital. This will be subject to further detailed planning consents.