At a meeting in Welshpool, representatives from the Environment Agency outlined to councillors and members of the public their Catchment Flood Management Plan, a scheme designed to reduce the impact of flooding and flood damage.

The plans could potentially include measures to divert water flow from the River Severn and Lake Vyrnwy onto land in Newtown and Caersws, in an effort to combat the threat of flooding further downstream in Shrewsbury and Birmingham.

The plans are currently at the public consultation stage, and are available to view until July 4. After this, the results will be addressed and a final report drawn up with recommendations of action to be taken.

Nick Adjei, project executive with the Environment Agency, said last year's catastrophic events in Gloucester prove the need for action: "We are trying to agree policies for sustainable flood risk management.

"We need to try to help manage and reduce the impact of flooding. It is essential we try to be more prepared."

However, the vast majority of councillors at the meeting were suspicious of elements of the agency's plans, not least the lack of information that was available to people on a local level on an issue which could have massive implications for rural residents.

The feeling was that very little effort had been made by the agency to try to keep people informed.

Jo Jolly, project manager for the Environment Agency, denied they were trying to be underhand: "We are eager to hear from people about what they think of the plans, and if we haven't communicated ourselves very well, then we can only apologise.

"The plans are there for the greater good, but all the same it is important we work with local residents, councils and landowners, not against them."

The agency also discussed the need to enlist farmers and homeowners to sign up for their flood alert system – so far the reported uptake on the service is only 30 per cent.

Councillor Michael Williams was critical of the agency's approach: "The consultation period they have allowed seems extremely limited considering the importance of the issue, and the huge effect it could have on people's lives."

Cllr Simon Baynes felt the plans would benefit from a longer consultation period: "Considering a lot of us feel we have been kept in the dark on this, it would be beneficial to everybody if the consultation was extended.

"A lot of town councils will not be able to discuss the issue because of the limited time for consultation on offer.

"Extending the period available for discussion would allow them to do that, and would also be a welcome show of goodwill from the agency."

Cllr Wynne Jones, board member for planning, regeneration and development, said: "There has been considerable concern in the Upper Severn catchment area as to the implications of the new Flood Management Plans.

"The Environment Agency has gone a long way to reassure those concerned and explain the basis for the plans.

"We have to keep in mind that flood water levels are predicted to rise 20 per cent in the next few years and therefore many homes in communities that have never been flooded could be at risk.

"It is appropriate that plans should be made at this stage to try to reduce the impact of any possible future flooding and I welcome and support the work."

Gareth Vaughan, President of the Farmers Union in Wales, said he remains suspicious: "I warned people when they flooded Clywedog, and I warn them again now, Mid Wales is being used to solve the problems of the English.

"It is not our fault they build on flood plains, but it is us that bails them out.

"The union will be keeping a close eye on this."

* What do you think? Have your say below by commenting or write to 11c Broad Street, Welshpool, SY21 7LE.