Government proposals for flood protection would result in an "overly centralised" system, leaving local communities with little influence over threats affecting their homes, MPs warned today.

The House of Commons Environment Committee urged ministers not to try to rush their Floods and Water Management Bill through Parliament in the coming months, but to put off legislation until after the General Election to allow time for the "piecemeal and incomplete" draft bill to be rethought.

The committee predicted confrontation between local people and the Environment Agency if the bill goes through in its present form, and warned that individuals affected by flood erosion will feel themselves forced to fight their case in court.

Committee chairman Michael Jack said: "The draft Bill's reliance on a top-down approach will hamper the development of locally tailored solutions. We urge the Government to allow a more collaborative and consultative approach.

"Individuals and communities affected by flooding and coastal erosion will fight to save their homes and livelihoods. It's crucial that their concerns and interests be properly taken into account when devising a response to a flooding incident."

In a report on the draft Bill, published today, the committee warned that Environment Secretary Hilary Benn was in danger of rushing through legislation that would leave local communities with "little influence over decisions about flood and water management issues".

The proposals would result in an "overly centralised approach with local knowledge and democratic accountability being downgraded in favour of sweeping powers for the Environment Agency", said the MPs.

This would create a "real danger" that local communities will see the Agency as their adversary and regard court action as their only opportunity to have their say in the decision-making process

"Of course, local flood defence strategies must be consistent with a national strategy," said Mr Jack.

"However the committee firmly believes that the best safeguard for local priorities is to ensure that future strategies are set by elected bodies."

Pressing ahead with the draft bill in a Parliament which has a maximum of less than nine months to run would create uncertainty and hamper the ability of those working in the sector to plan and allocate resources, warned the report.