When this was discussed some years ago, we decided that we would remove it from Subpart E for the reason you quoted (it was also one of Charles Schmitt's favourite subjects).
However, as the text was fairly innocuous (the limits were not punitive) and, as we still wished to make a statement about ARA approaches, we decided to leave it as it was.
You are also correct (as with all of these issues) that the origin of the text was JAR-OPS 1. (We will be seeing more of this as EASA has (almost) abandoned the separation of the aeroplane from the helicopter text.)
Circling will be an ongoing issue if Annex 14 is amended to permit single slope approaches to heliports (more of a deal than airports) as some protection will have to be added to the obstacle environment to permit circling (even if it just a split-arsed turn).
Jim