Plans to transform a disused site in the centre of Liverpool have been given the go-ahead.

Liverpool City Council's Planning Committee approved John Moores University's plans for the former Royal Mail site on Copperas Hill in the city's Knowledge Quarter Gateway.

The three and a half acre development will provide high quality new buildings and open spaces, as well as regenerating a key gateway site in the heart of the city centre.

The plans will see two new buildings, designed by architects Sheppard Robson, become a focal point for student life:

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• A five-storey building providing a range of student-facing services, including advice and wellbeing services, careers advice, international exchanges, an area for individual and group study, and the Students' Union (JMSU).

• A two-storey building which will include outstanding facilities such as an eight court sports hall, three multi-purpose halls, a state-of-the-art gym and staff facilities.

The development will also create attractive public open spaces, which will benefit the local community as well as students and staff.

LJMU has appointed Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure as the contractor to carry out the development. Work is scheduled to commence on site later this year, with completion scheduled for 2020.

The Copperas Hill project is part of a wider LJMU redevelopment programme, which will see a number of new facilities built by the university.