Autumn Statement
•• ensure that compliance with the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives does not lead to unnecessary costs and delays to development, while continuing to support the Directives’ objectives. The Government is reviewing the Directives as currently implemented in England by Budget 2012 and is committed to tackling blockages for developments where compliance is particularly complex or has large impacts. In addition, the Government has announced progress on specific projects where compliance has already proved problematic, including Falmouth Harbour.11
Defra Response http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/11/29/habitats-and-birds-directives/
Further comment by Defra on BBC Radio 4 /farming today Dec 2 nd listen again ( a bit Batty !! )