Bristol City Council has agreed to go ahead with the development of a new £2 million creative learning centre in Easton.

The authority's Cabinet has passed plans for the centre on a derelict piece of land next to Junction 3 of the M32.

The centre would include a library and facilities to provide learning programmes for needy people.

It would also have a creche.

Most of the scheme, which includes 59 flats, seven industrial units and community meeting rooms, is three storeys high.

But the main block, which fronts Millpond Street, includes a tower which rises to seven storeys.

The complex is being funded with a £1.9 million grant from the National Lottery. It would be built near to Millpond Primary School, a youth centre and a health centre in Claremont Street.

The Cabinet has agreed to appoint Knightstone Housing Association as its development partner for the project.

At a meeting of the Cabinet at the end of last month, the council's deputy leader Simon Cook said: "This area has been derelict for too long. This will bring it back into use and provide an excellent facility.

"The development will contain 100 per cent affordable housing and will include four-bedroom homes we are badly in need of."

The council's leader Barbara Janke said: "It's very encouraging to see this being taken forward because it's a difficult time for building projects."