Plans for a redeveloped L.F. Wade International Airport have garnered provisional approval from the Development Applications Board.

The plans for the controversial project were submitted to the Department of Planning earlier this year, proposing a new steel and glass terminal building at the western end of the present runway.

The new facility would be built on higher ground to reduce the risk of flooding, and will continue to house pre-clearance for US customs and immigration as well as enclosed passenger bridges to aircraft.

The planning application formally went before the Development Applications Board during their meeting last Wednesday, and received provisional approval.

Government has expressed hope that ground would be broken on the $250 million project by the end of the year, and timelines for the project included in the application state that the final phase of development is hoped to be completed by March 2020.

However, the project has been the subject of repeated criticism, with opponents claiming a lack of transparency by Government about its dealings with the Canadian Commercial Corporation — a Canadian government agency — and Canadian contractor Aecon.

Areas of concern include the lack of tendering for the project and its long-term economic impact with David Burt, the Deputy Opposition Leader, alleging the “30-year privatisation” of the airport would increase the annual budget deficit by at least $33 million.

However, Bob Richards, the Minister of Finance, has rejected Mr Burt’s figures, calling the project “an investment in Bermuda today and over the long term”, adding that the project would create construction, retail and administrative jobs for Bermudians.