Queensland pub erects towering wall plunging neighbouring residents into darkness

A group of Queensland residents have been left in the dark after a neighbouring pub built a towering wall which has robbed their apartment block completely of natural light.

Last November the Fringe Bar in Fortitude Valley built an "acoustic wall" designed to block out noise, with Brisbane City Council approval.

None of the eight residents impacted were notified.

They have been blanketed in darkness and forced to use their electricity 24 hours a day since.

"This is disgusting, basic human rights gone, no natural light, no air," resident Gabriela Ferreyra told A Current Affair.

Like the other residents in the unit block, the only view Ms Ferreyra has is of the offending wall.

"I'm sure they have better views in prison, more interesting ones anyway," she said.

Brothers Brian and Greg Fitzgibbon are the hoteliers responsible and are standing firm.

"It's within the law, it's totally within the law what we are doing," Greg Fitzgibbons told A Current Affair.

But apart from lighting concerns, the towering structure has also impacted upon the property value of the units.

"Obviously the property is not worth what it was and we won't be able to get the same rent that we could," Ms Ferreyra said.

A Current Affair had Ayda Shabanzedah from Grow Property appraise the apartments, who said the value of the units have been slashed.

"I think $50,000 would be accurate when you turn all the lights off on the property, there is absolutely zero natural light," Ms Shabanzedah said.

Residents have complained to council but haven't received the response they've wanted.

In a letter Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk wrote: "The reason there was no community consultation on this application was that it was considered permissible change, this type of change is only considered minor and does not require public notification."

Resident Judd Campbell told A Current Affair that their complaints are falling on deaf ears.

"It's a David and Goliath situation … because we are just the little people up against big corporate hotels," Judd Campbell told A Current Affair.

The wall is less than one metre from the apartment building's windows and balconies, which is close enough for residents to reach out and touch.

"We've actually given them more than what is actually required," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

"We've been very generous … that's all I've got to say."

One compromise the residents are pushing is retrofitting glass panels at $7000 a panel.

But Fringe Bar wants residents to pay as well as waive any further legal rights to object to future development.