Calls are mounting for renewed cross‑party collaboration to safeguard the future of Swindon’s iconic Oasis Leisure Centre, as local Conservative councillors urge Swindon Borough Council to adopt a new approach and break the current impasse.
Councillors Gary Sumner and Dale Heenan have formally tabled a motion asking the authority to restate its commitment to restoring the popular leisure complex while identifying a realistic financial route to achieve it. Central to their proposal is the creation of a new cross‑party working group, with an initial meeting to be held within four weeks, giving councillors from all parties an active role in shaping the plan.
The renewed push follows a turbulent spell for the site. Although permission for refurbishment of the Oasis was granted on 8th July, a separate planning application for more than 700 homes around the venue was recently turned down. The Council’s planning committee cited concerns over parking provision, the absence of contributions towards local education, and wider policy issues when rejecting the scheme.
Cllr Heenan commented: “Everyone wants to see a refurbished Oasis open again, but the reality is that funding remains the greatest obstacle. Housing remains the most practical option, but with over 700 homes recently refused, clarity and urgency are essential. At present, councillors from both sides are being excluded from crucial discussions. Mistakes are being made unnecessarily, and no one seems willing to listen. We need a firm commitment to a housing‑led solution and a cross‑party group that can work together to secure the Oasis for future generations.”
Cllr Sumner added: “The refusal of the housing scheme due to inadequate parking and the lack of school contributions—leaving the Council facing a £5.5 million funding gap—highlights how complex the issue is. For more than two years, we have repeatedly offered to work cross‑party. The Council must remain focused on a credible plan that delivers a refurbished Oasis while also supporting Swindon’s wider growth.”
The motion, proposed by Cllr Heenan and seconded by Cllr Sumner, asks the full Council to acknowledge that housing remains the most viable way to finance the refurbishment and to establish the new cross‑party group without delay.
Leader of Swindon Borough Council, Cllr Jim Robbins, has responded to the motion, saying: “We thank the Conservative councillors for their motion, and we will consider it at the Labour Group meeting on Monday and decide collectively how we respond. I want to be really clear on how we progress forward and, if there is a cross‑party group to be formed, it should include colleagues who understand the Swindon Plan and who are prepared to work in collaboration with our Missions of a Fairer, Better and Greener Swindon.
“Unfortunately, some members of the opposition have repeatedly shown that they are incapable of constructive partnership working. The Labour Administration is more than happy to work with any councillor who is willing to put politics aside and act collaboratively in the interests of Swindon and its residents.
“As I said following the recent Planning meeting: ‘The deal to reopen the Oasis for Swindon families to enjoy is all about compromises and, unfortunately, the Planning Committee felt unable to support arguably the most important part of the scheme. This is because the homes around the Oasis are needed to fund the eye‑watering costs of refurbishing the listed dome and swimming pool. We have hit a significant stumbling block with our partner, but as a pro‑growth authority, it is one we will do all we can to overcome. Our priority to reopen a refurbished Oasis for current and future generations remains, but we cannot do this alone. We will be working closely with SevenCapital to find solutions to make this happen.’”
