Plans for a refurbished Oasis centre in North Star, just north of the town centre could have an impact on ambitious hopes for the regeneration of the very heart of Swindon.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has hopes of bringing back the waterway to the heart of the town, at Wharf Green, where boats were unloaded of their cargo.

The trust says that would be a major part of regenerating the shopping centre – but it is concerned by the published plans for the refurbishment of the Oasis centre by its owner Seven Capital.

The trust says any hopes of bringing back a canal basin to Warf Green needs a route from the town centre out towards Cricklade to be preserved, and that it doesn’t figure on the published plans.

The trust is urging people to give feedback to Seven Capital on its plans, saying the proposed canal route needs to be maintained.

A public statement from the trust says: “We urgently need your help.

“Bringing back the canal into the town centre via Kingshill and then out onwards towards a very active restoration on the Cotswold canal at Cricklade could rejuvenate Swindon.”

An online post features a picture showing Whard Green with a canal basin in it, filled with water and also filled with market stalls which it says is a composite picture of Camden market in north London superimposed onto Wharf Green.

It adds: “To do this we need to save the route.

“The Oasis site, pre-planning plans have been released and despite talks, we are not represented on the route to the west of the site. We need a 30-metre corridor to create a vibrant blue and green corridor for all the community to use.

“If you have seen Wichelstowe and Westleaze or Rushey Platt, then you know what we aim for.

“Visit www.SwindonOasis.co.uk now and please mention the West Canal Corridor width in your say.

“Act now to build a better, stronger Swindon future.”

Oasis owners Seven Capital published its proposals for a newly refurbished centre earlier this week.

The deadline for submissions and comments is noon on Wednesday, November 27.

A public drop-in event about the proposals will be held between 1pm and 7pm at New College Swindon’s North Star Campus.

The proposals and links to make comments are available to the public now at swindonoasis.co.uk.