Section 17

Where the competent authority so determines, the competent authority may grant any written permission as a provisional permission in the first instance.

The competent authority may authorise (generally or specially) the carrying out of specified preliminary works following the grant of provisional permission.

Any grant of provisional permission lapses 6 months following the date of its granting unless a longer period is specified in the provisional permission or the competent authority otherwise directs in writing.

Where the competent authority is satisfied that all the conditions contained in a provisional permission have been complied with during the validity period of the provisional permission, the competent authority must grant final permission subject to such further conditions as the competent authority thinks fit.

A final permission granted under subsection (4) is deemed to be a written permission granted under section 14.