It is just two years since leisure operators Better announced they would not be opening the Oasis Centre again after it closed during lockdown.

And the iconic - and now Grade II listed - centre has been closed ever since.

There have been arguments, claims and counterclaims for nearly the whole two years.

The owners of the 99-year lease on the building, Seven Capital, had put in a plan to rebuild the centre, without its dome. But that was put on ice after the building was listed by the government after an application by the 20th Century Society.

That didn’t find favour with either Seven Capital or the borough council – both said it would very much hamper attempts to bring back a working Oasis.

The Conservative group announced its intention to try and get the listing overturned.

Efforts on that seem to have subsided after a new application was put in by Seven Capital which would preserve the dome and cover it in a more modern insulating material.

That has thawed relations somewhat between online campaign group Save Oasis Swindon and the borough council and Seven Capital.

The campaign group spoke to the leaseholders and Swindon Borough Council’s leader David Renard and even one of the planning officers at Euclid Street, about progress with the new application.

A spokesman for Seven Capital told the group: "The investigation works are due to commence shortly as per the approval, although I am unable to confirm an exact date.

"Regarding the plans for the pool and the residential around it, this is still being worked on and as such we do not have an answer to this just yet, although the team is working very hard on it."

Coun Renard told the campaign: "The council continues to engage with Seven Capital on the work they are carrying out to bring the Oasis back in to use. In relation to progress on their applications your enquiries should be made to them."

Some disquiet has been expressed about the new plans for the rebuilt centre excluding the sports hall and music venue. Coun Renard said: "Any issue on the loss of the main hall would be considered on its merit as part of the planning process."

Tom Buxton, principal planner and development manager at the council said: "Whilst I don’t have a specific start date [for when the works will begin], from speaking to the applicant’s representative I know that they are keen to start as soon as possible."