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The Serbian legislative body has passed a law that paves the way for a contentious development initiative spearheaded by US President Donald Trump's family member Jared Kushner in Serbia's capital city.

His firm Affinity Partners has planned to construct a luxury hospitality venue and apartment project on the location of the former Yugoslav Army central command.

The destroyed building, which was targeted by NATO troops in 1999 amid its operation to stop the Serbian military actions in Kosovo, holds emotional value to some who consider it as a monument and representation of persistent resistance to the international coalition.

The Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has pursued strong connections with Trump, has endorsed the plans notwithstanding public opposition and legal challenges.

Previously, the Serbian government revoked the building of its heritage classification and approved a long-term contract with the developer's company, which had proposed designs for a $500m construction.

The determination triggered protests and resulted in an probe into whether a national official had manipulated papers used during the process to alter the structure's status.

Through a discussion earlier this year, Head of State Aleksandar Vucic justified the plan, stating "it's important to move past the legacy from 1999".

He added: "We are prepared to develop improved relations with the US – I think that is extremely significant for this country."

The stalled approval process culminated last week when Vucic's party – which holds a dominant in parliament – pushed ahead with a special vote on developing the location and succeeded.

Dissenting representatives have called the decision against the constitution, among them Aleksandar Jovanovic, who characterized it as a "violation", and stated the landmark would be substituted with "casinos and hot tubs".

Simultaneously, progressive parliament member Marinika Tepic commented the government was compromising the country's past "to please the former president".

The passage of the legislation has also been criticised by design professionals, and comes subsequent to a watchdog organization, an anti-corruption body, expressed concerns about government-supported developments.

According to national press accounts before his maiden presidency run, the former president in the past considered constructing a accommodation venue in Belgrade.

In March, Kushner stated media outlets he was uninformed of his family member's reported earlier involvement.

The resolution to enable progress for the construction arrives as Vucic's administration attempts to maintain good ties with each of America and the Russian Federation.

The nation has been affected by both the former president's tariffs and penalties on Moscow's assets in the state, including on its single fuel processing plant, the primarily Moscow-controlled Nafna Industrika Srbije (NIS).