An internet group has been set up on Facebook to protest against government proposals to shift Parliament to the old Opera House.

Controversy has always dogged the fate of the Royal Opera House, bombed in World War II, and while non-governmental organisations and architects welcomed the news that world-famous Italian architect Renzo Piano had accepted to redesign Valletta's entrance, many involved in the arts expressed their disappointment that it would not be transformed into a theatre.

Within hours from the announcement by the Prime Minister early on Monday evening, over 700 people, including a number of theatre heavyweights, joined a Facebook group entitled No to House of Parliament instead of Opera House.

The creator of the group, Adrian Buckle, an artistic director who has produced a number of controversial plays in recent years, said this project summed up the government's attitude towards the arts. He said a new theatre was a much-needed investment and the size of the old Opera House would be ideal.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said the site's footprint was too small to rebuild a theatre with today's requirements, adding that Valletta was already saturated with theatres.

Dr Gonzi said the redesigned sites of City Gate and the Opera House would be finished within four years and form part of a larger project to redevelop Valletta from City Gate to Fort St Elmo. This would require Parliament to move from the President's Palace.

Masquerade founder Anthony Bezzina disagreed and said a large theatre was needed to attract big foreign productions. He agreed that the Opera House might not be big enough for this purpose.

He added that any building by Renzo Piano will be a tourist attraction but a Parliament was probably not the best option to attract people.

"At the end of the day it's a horrible site as it is. I'm just glad they're finally doing something about it. I say just go for it, we need a change," Mr Bezzina said. Architect David Pace was sceptical about the project. He said that if the site was too small for a theatre, it was probably also too small to house Parliament, especially if part of it would be used as a cultural centre.

Astrid Vella, from Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, said she would have to see the actual plans before commenting, adding that her organisation would be approaching this with an open mind.

She stressed, however, that the public had a legal right under EU laws to be consulted on such national decisions at every stage, especially when it came to the usage of such a building.

The Labour Party said there should be more consultation, rather than just informing the people of the decisions already taken.

Ray Bondin, former coordinator of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project and former Nationalist MP, said the regeneration of Valletta was essential and required the integrated approach the government was proposing.

"We cannot continue having a bombed-out site in our capital," he argued, adding that the President's Palace was not a good site for Parliament due to lack of space.

"The Opera House site is bigger and if developed properly will also integrate some cultural activity," Dr Bondin said.

He added that Malta should not continue being the only EU country without an Opera House but the old site was not big enough for today's requirements.

SACES, the association representing architecture students, believed these projects will fully regenerate Valletta and bring back the lost pride in the island's capital. The organisation was pleased that Renzo Piano will be designing the buildings that "will now also place Malta on the international map of architecture".

The Federated Association of Travel & Tourism Agents (Fatta) welcomed the government's decision, saying the relocation of Parliament will enable the Grandmaster's Palace to be showcased more effectively to visitors.

Din l-Art Ħelwa said having a Parliament instead of the Opera House was not ideal but welcomed that part of the building would be used as exhibition space. Executive president Martin Galea said that if built in a contemporary style he hoped the proposed structure would be sensitive to the old while allowing the new.

"It is time to decide and move forward. There will be a debate and differing opinions but we have waited 60 years too long for a decision."