A FLOOD-hit pub landlord who feared defence plans for a neighbouring beck would plunge his premises into darkness has been enlightened.

Peter Fisher feared Environment Agency bosses planned to build a wall right outside his pub, blocking out the light.

But instead, the agency has decided to install reinforced glass walls outside his windows.

Mr Fisher, landlord of The Rose, in Bridge Street, Pickering, said he was upset when he saw plans for the defences.

"It was clear that they were proposing to build flood defence walls along some stretches of the beck," he said.

"When I looked at what they had planned for my section of the beck I was horrified."

He said that it was clear the Agency was proposing to build a very high wall right outside his pub.

"The report I saw looked at reinforced glass as an option, but dismissed it because it was felt to be inappropriate," he said.

"The wall would have blocked the light out almost entirely and ruined the view of the beck.

"I get a lot of people coming in during the day to eat and it would have ruined my daytime trade."

Environment Agency chiefs say they cannot release many details about the reinforced glass wall planned for that section of the beck.

A spokesman said: "There are no other details available to release at this stage other that the panels will be made of glass.

"We will be installing reinforced glass panelling to ensure the pub is still protected from floods and there is no loss of light to the premises.

"We have been aware of the landlord's concerns and planned to build glass panels there all along."

When told of the Environment Agency's plans Mr Fisher said he was relieved, but still had some concerns.

"I would like to know what sort of glass they are going to use - if it is translucent it will still block out the view we get of the beck," he said. Stuart Harrison, vice chairman of Pickering Civic Society - which has expressed concerns that the defences may not be in keeping with surrounding listed buildings - said he was reserving his judgement.

"It all depends on what sort of glass panels are used," he said.

"This is the problem with the defences, there is so little detail at this stage."

Updated: 14:42 Wednesday, October 17, 2001