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Serbia's legislative body has approved legislation that sets the stage for a controversial development project spearheaded by former President Trump's family member Jared Kushner in the capital.

The business entity Affinity Partners has aimed to build a high-end hotel and housing development on the premises of the former Yugoslav Army main office.

The ruined edifice, which was targeted by North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in 1999 amid its intervention to stop the Serbian armed forces operation in Kosovo, holds symbolic importance to certain groups who view it as a memorial and representation of ongoing objection to the military alliance.

The Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has pursued strong connections with the former president, has supported the development notwithstanding protests and legal challenges.

In the past year, the Serbian government removed the building of its protected classification and approved a extended contract with Kushner's company, which had set out plans for a $500 million project.

The decision triggered protests and resulted in an inquiry into whether a Serbian authority had forged documentation utilized during the procedure to modify the building's designation.

During a discussion earlier this year, President Aleksandar Vucic justified the proposal, saying "it's crucial to move past the weight from 1999".

He elaborated: "We are prepared to develop improved relations with the US – I consider that is extremely crucial for this state."

The halted planning procedure culminated on Friday when Vucic's party – which holds a controlling in the assembly – moved forward with a special decision on developing the site and prevailed.

Rival representatives have described the outcome against the constitution, notably Aleksandar Jovanovic, who termed it as a "violation", and asserted the historic site would be replaced with "gaming establishments and Jacuzzis".

Meanwhile, progressive MP Marinika Tepic commented the government was compromising the country's history "to appease the former president".

The approval of the bill has furthermore been challenged by architectural professionals, and arrives after an anti-corruption group, an anti-corruption body, raised apprehensions about government-supported projects.

According to Serbian press accounts before his first election bid, Trump earlier considered developing a accommodation venue in Belgrade.

In March, Kushner stated journalists he was unfamiliar of his family member's claimed past interest.

The determination to pave the path for the development occurs as the president's administration aims to sustain favorable connections with each of Washington and Moscow.

The nation has been influenced by each of Trump's trade measures and restrictions on Moscow's interests in the state, comprising on its sole petroleum facility, the primarily Moscow-controlled Nafna Industrika Srbije (NIS).