The Friends of The Health Hydro have expressed significant concerns about the proposals put forward by Swindon Borough Council for upgrading the historic building in Milton Road.

The plans for the £6.5m first phase or refurbishment will be debated and decided upon by the council’s planning committee next week.

The plans include an upgrade to the heating and ventilation equipment, opening the public gallery in the main pool, a  revamped entrance lobby and new dry-side gym group exercise and activity spaces and new changing facilities.

But the fact those facilities will include individual cubicles in a room used by both men and women has caused the Friends' organisation concern.

A spokesman said: “There has been no consultation with the Swindon public. The council has not taken the soundings of local opinion that should accompany this sort of public spending.

“There has, for instance, been no attempt to gauge opinion on mixed changing. No proper review has been undertaken of the varied needs of a diverse population.”

The group has more general criticisms of the plan for the changing facilities: “There is no dedicated toilet or showering provision for the very large gym and exercise area. Gym users will have to access men’s and women’s toilets and showers via the mixed changing area.

“When there are swimming galas, the spectators will need to troop on down through that same changing area. The waiting area will have no toilet provision. The main changing area will be overburdened at peak times. For example, it has only four showers and four ladies’ toilets to serve up to 40 swimmers the gym users, the exercise classes, the Turkish bath users and people in the waiting area.”

“The group also says the importance to Swindon’s heritage is ignored in the proposals: “The importance of this uniquely valuable Grade II* -listed asset is totally forgotten. The building’s key place in the history of the NHS, the Great Western Railway, and of Swindon is totally overlooked.

“There is to be no proper reception – just an empty space with a desk ahead of an automatic door. This building should not be given lacklustre treatment as though it was a standard leisure centre.”

The report to members of the council’s planning committee recommends they approve the plans and says: “The proposal will preserve the listed building and its setting and will preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and support active, healthy and safe lifestyles and maintain and enhance this community facility.”

The Friends’ specific criticisms were put to the cabinet member for leisure Matty Courtliff, but no response has been received.

The committee meets at 6pm on Tuesday April 11 at the council chamber in Euclid Street.