Liverpool City Council has approved plans for a 656-unit residential scheme on the edge of the city centre.

The planning application was handled by Zerum and the Vinco Group hopes to start work as early as this year.

Freemasons will comprise four separate residential towers of 16 storeys around three landscaped courtyards on the junction of Leeds Street and St Bartholomew Road.

The scheme will have a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, studios and three-storey, two-bed townhouses which are expected to appeal to both first-time buyers and professionals.

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Chris Boles, senior project manager for Vinco, said: “Our team has worked hard to ensure that the scheme delivers an impressive new development which provides a significant number of high-quality residential apartments in an up-and-coming area of the city.

“Liverpool’s planning committee has a great approach in welcoming innovative design which will enhance the city scape and deliver much-needed residential accommodation.”

The building was originally designed by Falconer Chester Hall and has a high-quality finished concrete and glazed façade offering a light and fresh structure improved by the introduction of a lantern effect to the upper floors of each of the towers.

Residents will have a communal garden situated on the ninth floor creating an open space and greenery hanging gardens.

The towers also come with car parking spaces for 92 cars and 248 spaces for bicycle storage.

The ground floor will have a number of commercial spaces, a gym and a business centre.