The justice ministry wants to find a solution to the new eight-storey building in Valletta that has been slammed as a sacrilege to the Unesco-protected city and its skyline.

...in discussions with the authority to identify structural alterations to mitigate the visual impact

The director general of the law courts has been instructed to “discuss” the issue with the planning authority and “identify solutions”.

The building, which is intended to house the judiciary’s chambers and the family court, towers over the neighbouring structures by at least three storeys of limestone and cement blocks. The Chamber of Architects and heritage organisations have expressed shock at the development.

Photos of the unsightly structure went viral on Facebook and it was heavily criticised – including by prominent architects – for the way it disturbed Valletta’s skyline.

Commissioned by the government, the works involved joining two houses in Strait Street and raising it to eight floors to house the judiciary’s chambers as well as a drugs court.

A planning authority spokesman confirmed the director general was “in discussions with the authority to identify structural alterations to mitigate the visual impact”.

In a carefully worded statement, the Environment Ministry said the government “requested a meeting between court and the planning authority to explore a solution that respects the importance of Valletta’s skyline and protects its heritage while allowing a sustainable use of the building.”

Saying it was “conscious about the sensitivity” of this particular development, the environment ministry reiterated that the building, which forms part of a €1.8 million project, was covered by a 2007 permit.

“From 2008 onwards, the need was felt to reform the planning authority to, among other things, increase sensitivity towards the importance of protecting the environment and historic heritage,” it said.

Planning authority enforcement officers inspected the site this week and established that the works fell in line with the permit conditions, an authority spokesman said.

The project had been recommended for refusal by the planning directorate after the government submitted an application in 2001. However, a Development Control Commission overturned the recommendation and granted the permit after asking the developer to remove a bridge linking the new chambers with the law courts.

The unsightly building was also criticised by Labour planning spokesman Roderick Galdes who questioned the use of non-traditional building material and high walls, saying it was the government’s “worst example” of planning in Valletta.

Mr Galdes, who is also Labour’s appointee on the planning authority board, pointed out that this permit contrasted greatly with permits for less important projects denied to other applicants.

However, the environment ministry argued that things at the planning authority had changed over time with, for example, the introduction of two environment commissions with full-time members and two board members – Judge Giovanni Bonello and lawyer Philip Manduca – who are experts in cultural heritage.