Fresh talks are due to be held over the future of two of Shrewsbury’s most historic riverside buildings amid calls for compulsory purchase orders to be served on the owners of the properties.

Campaigners say The Stew and the Old Maltings in Frankwell Quay are falling into a state of ruin through neglect and are calling for action to be taken to safeguard the buildings.

Shropshire Council says discussions will be held in the coming months to help decide their fate.

It comes after pleas were made in March by Geraint Morgan, former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council manager, and Judith Williams, former Shrewsbury mayor, for the new authority to issue a CPO on both sites.

Mrs Williams says both The Stew and the Old Maltings, which are near the new £28 million theatre, are in a “decrepit” state and becoming an eyesore.

Karen Lloyd, Shrewsbury Civic Society secretary and development officer, has also claimed the riverside buildings should be listed in order to protect them from the bulldozer.

The Old Maltings was once earmarked for a £6 million development scheme including a restaurant, homes and a floating restaurant nearby, but has since been left empty prompting fears it will rot away.

But members of the civic society have suggested the building could be transfor-med into a river interpretation centre covering the area’s wildlife, flora and fau-na and its historic port uses.

Gareth Proffitt, Shropshire Council spokesman, said: “The council is seeking to secure the best possible future use of both The Stew and The Maltings. Discussions have taken place and are ongoing, but no decisions have yet been made.

“We are assessing the potential of the site to make an ongoing contribution to the future of Shrewsbury, and are seeking to ensure that the character of these buildings, and the story they have to tell about the town’s past, is maintained in any future use.

“Further discussions about the future of both buildings will be held in the coming months, both within the council and with other key organisations.”

Neither of the owners of the buildings were available for comment today.