A £120m tower block development on a stalled site on the edge of Liverpool city centre could help end the "brain drain" from the city, councillors said as they gave it the green light.
Liverpool Council's planning committee has approved plans for over 400 new homes on land along Freemasons Row and Gladstone Street, on the site known as Metalworks.
The latest application by Jarron Investments secured approval some eight years since the first housing bid was put forward for the site.
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Jarron's scheme includes two 16-storey tower blocks complete with a rooftop running track, with 401 residential units alongside commercial spaces and a gym. Cllr Tom Cardwell, chair of the planning committee, said he hoped this build-to- rent project could help the city to retain graduates and prevent people from leaving Liverpool in search of housing.
Previous proposals for the Metalworks site saw the approval of different configurations, including a plan for 312 homes across 13 and 11 storeys in 2017, followed by a plan for 319 homes in 15 and 13 storey buildings in 2018. However, both earlier applications failed to progress, resulting in the plot remaining vacant for some time.
The planning statement said the site is currently unoccupied except for a cafe building - the long-vacant former Marble Hall pub on Vauxhall Road - which is set for demolition. The proposed development will feature interconnected blocks housing 177 one-bedroom apartments, 218 two-bedroom units, and six three-bedroom apartments and townhouses.
The ground floor of the development is planned to host a resident's gym, retail unit, plant, refuse area, staff offices, and a cinema.
The planning documents added: "The terrace has the unique feature of a lap track to allow residents to run and exercise within the amenity space that follows the main building boundary.
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"A steel structure provides a sheltered multi-functional space for residents to use."
Adam Hall, representing Jarron, told the committee that approximately 370 jobs are expected to arise from the design, construction, and operation phases of the project. He emphasised Jarron's commitment to the scheme, viewing it as the "beginning of a long-term development" in the city.
Committee member Cllr Joe Hanson said: "This part of Vauxhall is crying out for development. We've seen over the past number of years the applications that have come in, stalled applications and now we're seeing some activity with Legacie. It feels a lot better."
Cllr Tricia O'Brien said: "I've got a feeling a development like this is going to fill a need in the market for people who only want to rent in the interim and aren't going to stay in places for that long because they're very mobile job wise."
She supported the plans, adding: "We really do need to have development along Leeds Street, we really do need to see Liverpool coming alive again, especially near the waterfront."
The committee chair, Cllr Cardwell, said: "It brings 401 new homes into the city, it helps re-urbanise an area that is in bad need of it and hopefully will reduce our brain drain as a city because our young people are leaving because they can't get homes."
After the meeting, Will Clarke, Jarron's development director, said: "We are delighted to have won backing to deliver such an iconic scheme in Liverpool city Centre. This location is the perfect setting for the Metalworks development, which will be a landmark project for the city.
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"It will offer exceptional living standards, with unparalleled access to work, leisure, and transport options. A special thanks to the officers at Liverpool Council for their hard work throughout the application process."
"It will offer exceptional living standards, with unparalleled access to work, leisure, and transport options. A special thanks to the officers at Liverpool Council for their hard work throughout the application process.
"We're excited to see the scheme progress and contribute to the continued success and growth of Liverpool."
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