Two historic buildings in Shrewsbury are falling into disrepair and will be left to rot if council bosses do not slap the owners with compulsory purchase orders, it was claimed today.

Councillor Judith Williams, ward member for Frankwell, said both The Stew building and the Old Maltings which are near to the town’s new £28 million theatre were in a “decrepit” state and becoming an eyesore.

She is now calling on the new unitary council to consider forcibly taking over the buildings from the current owners, claiming they are not doing enough to renovate them.

The Stew was once earmarked for a £1.4 million hotel with a restaurant and roof terrace while the Old Maltings was earmarked for a £6 million development scheme including a restaurant, homes and a floating restaurant in Frankwell Quay.

But both schemes faced planning hurdles and did not get the go-ahead.

Councillor Williams said she was concerned that the roof of the Old Maltings was falling in with water and rats everywhere.

Councillor Williams has now written to Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council manager Geraint Morgan to have the bid formally put to the new council.

She said: “Instead of changing the plans and submitting something which is acceptable in size, and sympathetic to the conservation area, they leave them to rot further.”