Squatters have been removed from an old hotel in Hampton Court, after they were given 24 hours to vacate the premises on Wednesday.

Residents drinking in the nearby Kings Arms pub noticed lights on in the building and people moving around earlier this week.

Hampton councillor Gareth Roberts said he was not surprised the squatters moved in, due to the appearance of the building, which he has been complaining about since November 2012.

He said: “I’ve been concerned about the appearance of the Lion Gate Hotel for some time now. This building stands at the main entrance to a Royal Park and directly opposite what is arguably the most important historic building in the country, Hampton Court Palace; yet developers have seen fit to clad the windows and doors in stark, unsympathetic, metallic sheeting without any consideration to its positioning and context.

“Given the dilapidated aspect of the building, frankly I’m not surprised that it has now attracted the attention of squatters.”

The site has been sold, but for the moment there is no confirmation on what it will be used for, but it is believed it could be used for flats.