F456[42.—(1) F457[On application to it in that behalf, F458[but subject to subsections (1B) and (8)],] a planning authority shall, as regards a particular permission, extend the appropriate period by such additional period not exceeding 5 years as the authority considers requisite to enable the development to which the permission relates to be completed provided that each of the following requirements is complied with:

F459[(a) (i) the authority is satisfied that—

(I) the development to which the permission relates was commenced before the expiration of the appropriate period sought to be extended,

(II) F460[…]

(III) substantial works were carried out pursuant to the permission during that period, and

(IV) the development will be completed within a reasonable time,]

(b) the application is in accordance with such regulations under this Act as apply to it,

(c) any requirements of, or made under those regulations are complied with as regards the application, and

(d) the application is duly made prior to the end of the appropriate period.

F461[(1A) Where development consisting of, or including, one or more than one house in respect of which permission was granted has not commenced within the appropriate period, a planning authority shall, subject to subsection (8), extend the appropriate period by such additional period (not exceeding 3 years) as the planning authority considers requisite to enable the development concerned to be completed, provided that—

(a) an application is made (in accordance with such regulations under this Act as apply to such an application)—

(i) before, but not earlier than 2 years before, the end of the appropriate period, and

(ii) not later than 6 months after the date on which section 28 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025 comes into operation,

to the planning authority for an extension of the appropriate period, and

(b) the authority is satisfied that the development will be completed within a reasonable time.

(1B) A person shall not be entitled to make an application under subsection (1) if the appropriate period in respect of the permission concerned was, at any time, extended under subsection (1A)].

(2) In extending the appropriate period under F458[subsection (1) or (1A)] a planning authority may attach conditions requiring the giving of adequate security for the satisfactory completion of the proposed development, and/or may add to or vary any conditions to which the permission is already subject under section 34(4)(g).

(3) (a) Where an application is duly made under this section to a planning authority and any requirements of, or made under, regulations under section 43 are complied with as regards the application, the planning authority shall make its decision on the application as expeditiously as possible.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), it shall be the objective of the planning authority to ensure that it shall give notice of its decision on an application under this section within the period of 8 weeks beginning on—

(i) in case all of the requirements referred to in paragraph (a) are complied with on or before the day of receipt by the planning authority of the application, that day, and

(ii) in any other case, the day on which all of those requirements stand complied with.

F459[(4) A decision to extend the appropriate period of a permission F461[under subsection (1)] shall be made not more than twice under this section and a planning authority shall not further extend the appropriate period. Where a second decision to extend an appropriate period is made under this section, the combined duration of the 2 extensions of the appropriate period shall not exceed 5 years.]

F461[(4A) Where a planning authority has extended the appropriate period in relation to a permission under subsection (1A), that planning authority may, subject to subsections (4B), (4C), (7A) and (8), extend the appropriate period by such further additional period as the planning authority considers requisite to enable the development concerned to be completed, provided that—

(a) an application is made (in accordance with such regulations under this Act as apply to such an application) before, but not earlier than 2 years before, the end of the appropriate period to the planning authority for a further extension of the appropriate period, and

(b) the planning authority is satisfied that the development will be completed within a reasonable time.

(4B) A person shall not be entitled to make an application under subsection (4A) if the appropriate period in respect of the permission concerned was already extended under that subsection.

(4C) The aggregate of the extensions of the appropriate period under subsections (1A) and (4A) shall not exceed 5 years.]

(5) Particulars of any application made to a planning authority under this section and of the decision of the planning authority in respect of the application shall be recorded on the relevant entry in the register.

(6) Where a decision to extend is made under this section, section 40 shall, in relation to the permission to which the decision relates, be construed and have effect, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms of the decision.

(7) Notwithstanding subsection (1) or (4), where a decision to extend an appropriate period has been made by a planning authority prior to the coming into operation of this section, the planning authority, where an application is made to it in that behalf prior to the expiration of the period by which the appropriate period was extended, may further extend the appropriate period provided that each of the following requirements is complied with—

(i) an application is made in that behalf in accordance with regulations under section 43,

(ii) any requirements of, or made under, the regulations are complied with as regards the application, and

(iii) the authority is satisfied that the relevant development has not been completed due to circumstances beyond the control of the person carrying out the development.]

F461[(7A) A planning authority shall not grant an extension under subsection (4A) unless it is satisfied that—

(a) the development to which the permission relates was commenced before the expiration of the appropriate period sought to be extended,

(b) substantial works were carried out pursuant to the permission during that period, and

(c) the development will be completed within a reasonable time.].

F462[(8) A planning authority shall not extend the appropriate period under this section in relation to a permission if an environmental impact assessment or an appropriate assessment would be required in relation to the proposed extension concerned.]

F461[(9) An extension of the appropriate period under subsection (1A) shall cease to have effect if the development to which the extension relates is not commenced before the expiration of the period of 18 months from the date on which section 28 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025 comes into operation.

(10) In this section "permission" includes permission under section 9 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016.]