Vortex what...ouch!
What Flying Lawyer reported is pretty much the truth. The reason behind it is really the dense population, the noise problems existing all over and the misuse of the existing rules by some pilots.
We in Germany often complain of our restrict regulations, but as mentioned above other countries have even stricter rules. I heard that there is absolutly no legal VFR nicht flying in Holland (and also Belgium?). We don't have much VFR night flying here because of lack of available airfields, but it is legal to do so (on a flight plan basis).
So where in some areas we are more strict ("usually" with good reasons), in other areas we may be more lenient. I guess that goes for all countries.
Come fly in Germany and enjoy yourself!
keep flying!
WestWind