Neighbours of the demolished former home of playwright Robert Cedric Sherriff have expressed their concern after the owner left it “looking like a bomb site”.

The Hampton Wick community was shocked when builders started knocking down the house in Seymour Road, in May.

Sherriff was one of the village’s most famous sons, having written screenplays for classic films including Dambusters and Goodbye Mr Chips.

Residents have now been left mystified after the builders appeared to down their tools and abandon the work, leaving the house a “blot on the landscape”.

The owners, who were thought to have found asbestos in the building, have assured Richmond Council they will continue the redevelopment next month.

Actor John Altman, who played “Nasty Nick” Cotton in EastEnders and has lived in Hampton Wick for 10 years, said: “I’m appalled by the state of it, it looks like it’s been bombed.

“I think it’s a complete eyesore, it’s dreadful. Nothing has happened there for weeks.”

Peter Holland, of School Lane, Hampton Wick, said the council had spent a lot of money improving the village’s roads but the demolished house meant the “visual impact from the High Street is appalling”.

He added: “It’s a blot on the landscape. The developer has left the building in such a terrible condition. It incenses me to see this.”

Richmond Council refused a planning application in 2003 after neighbours raised objections, saying the house was in the Hampton Wick conservation area and of historic importance to the village.

However, the planning inspectorate later granted permission for the owner to convert it into three two-bedroom flats and six bedsits.

The RC Sherriff Trust and the Hampton Wick Association hoped English Heritage would erect a blue plaque on the new building.

Councillor Virginia Morris, cabinet member for environment and planning at Richmond Council, said: “We do not believe there is a need to take any enforcement action at this stage, but powers do exist to force landowners to make sure sites are kept in good condition.

“During the coming months we will monitor this site closely to check that work does start. If required, we can issue a formal untidy land notice to require the owner to improve the appearance of the site.”