Lapse of the plan

(1) Where the carrying out of the plan is not begun within ten years of the plan becoming unchallengeable, it lapses. This does not apply where the plan has previously been extended, on application of the developer of the project, by the plan approval authority by a total of no more than five years.
(2) The first activity, externally recognisable, of more than merely minor significance for the realisation of the project in accordance with the plan is deemed the commencement of the carrying out of the plan. A later interruption of the realisation of the project does not affect the commencement of the carrying out.
(3) Before the decision under subsection (1), a hearing confined to the application must be carried out under the procedure prescribed for the plan approval or the plan approval permission. To the decision on the extension, and the challenge of the decision, the provisions on the plan approval decision apply correspondingly.