The Department of Transport has been given the green light to build a new lounge for bus drivers at the Dockyard bus depot.

The single-storey building, to be erected at the western side of the site on Pender Road, Sandys, would replace an existing prefabricated building.

A planning report recommended approval of the proposal and said that the new building was in line with planning policies and would be an improvement for the area.

It said: “The nearby institutional buildings (Westgate Correctional Facility, Prison Officers Recreation Club, Casemates Naval Barracks and silos of the cement plant, to name a few) reflect ‘utilitarian architecture’, so the expansion integrates well with its surroundings.

“The bus lounge will not obstruct access to the site or disrupt pedestrian and vehicular movement.

“The proposed development complies with the ‘Bermuda image’ by maintaining the existing building's character, appearance and scale.”

The report writer added that the design would have a minimal impact on privacy at nearby properties given its isolated location.

“Overall, the planned works will enhance the area, with no further implications beyond what exists,” the report concluded.

“More importantly, it is a welcome replacement for the prefabricated building, which is less attractive.”

The report writer noted that while the property was part of a wider historic area, the Historic Building Advisory Committee said the project would have no impact on the historic dock wall on the other side of the road.

The plans were approved earlier this month.