Andy Ihnatko’s right, this is like a PG Wodehouse plot:
Couple barred from living in £1million house for year after protected newts move in after flood
Last updated at 22:14pm on 26th March 2008
Since floods ruined their £1million home, John and Margie Histed have been squeezed into a caravan in the grounds. That was eight months and £250,000 worth of repairs ago.
Yet the couple still can’t move back into the house – because the great crested newt apparently got there first.
Rare: The great crested newt is protected by British and European legislation
The rest of the story is here. It is really sad, but very amusing (and very Euro).
