Footballer Thierry Henry has been handed permission to level his �10million Hampstead mansion and replace it – but the former Arsenal captain has scrapped plans for a 40ft fish tank.

Celebrity neighbours and conservation bodies objected to plans to demolish the existing house, built in the late 1990s and designed by a former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The Heath and Hampstead Society and the Twentieth Century Society, which safeguards post 1914 architecture, complained the current home was too new to be pulled down.

Hampstead actor Tom Conti, whose garden backs onto Mr Henry’s home, called on the former Arsenal captain to move out to avoid “absolute nightmare disruption” for neighbours.

The 34-year-old footballer withdrew plans to build a 25,000 litre fish tank at the centre of his new family home and Camden Council planners gave the proposals a green light last Thursday (May 10).

Developers Montagu Evans were unavailable for comment.

Work is now set to begin on building the new three-storey home, which will feature a swimming pool, bar and cinema.

Cllr Jonathan Simpson, on the planning committee, said: “I would just really like to compliment the architect on quite an outstanding building. I think it’s fantastic and we should be quite proud about it coming to the borough.”