Coventry City Council's (CCC) planning committee has approved Barberry Developments' bid to transform a former Royal Mail Sorting Centre with a £50m new mixed-use scheme.

The Bishop Gate development will comprise a new gym/leisure facility with swimming pool contained within a 20,000sq ft (1,858sq m) unit and an 8,000sq ft (743sq m) 'green' roof. A supermarket; non-food retail units; and landscaping are also included in the plans for the site, which will see the existing Royal Mail buildings demolished once work commences.

Barberry Developments director Henry Bellfield said: "Following the closure of the Royal Mail Sorting Office this part of the city centre is in desperate need of new investment. "We will continue to work closely with the council on the scheme to incorporate a supermarket superstore, a fitness/leisure centre and associated on-site car parking."