The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is calling for an extension to the validity of planning permissions to help developers which have put projects on hold in the recession.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is calling for an extension to the validity of planning permissions to help developers which have put projects on hold in the recession.

It has written to government ministers calling for measures to allow applicants to extend planning permission for longer than the current three-year limit.

It says re-applying for planning applications can be costly and reduce the value of property assets. Developers used to be allowed to extend planning permissions until the law changed in 2004.

CBI director for business environment Dr Neil Bentley said: ‘We want to make sure builders and developers can get to work quickly when firms are in a position to build again and not hold back the prospects of recovery by forcing them to jump through costly and uncertain planning hoops because their consent has lapsed.

‘Introducing flexibility at this critical time by allowing firms to apply for a time-extension on planning permission would help them survive the recession, protect jobs and leave them better-positioned to take advantage of the economic recovery when it comes.

‘Current planning laws need to recognise the exceptional economic environment that we face at the moment.’