The Planning Commission has turned down a planning application request to sanction the top receded floor of a block of offices in Republic Street, Valletta.
The commission said the development was obstructing and dwarfing the view of the dome and adjacent belfry of the Grade 1 church dedicated to St Francis.
The commission pointed out that sanctioning such a development would negatively impact the Valletta skyline, which holds a Unesco World Heritage status.
The receded floor, proposed to be used as additional office space, was served with an enforcement notice by the authority in 2016. A daily fine is being imposed on the contravener.
The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage objected to the sanctioning of the development.