Since 2009, unless the permission states otherwise, development should begin within three years of the date permission was granted. Lawfully commencing the development works may first involve satisfying conditions applied to the permission. If the development has not commenced within three years, the permission will be considered to have expired, and if the applicant still wished to proceed with the development, they will need to renew the application. Renewal is generally less onerous than making a fresh application, but a fee is payable. If however, the conditions under which the original permission was granted have changed, it may be necessary to make a fresh application.

Once the development has commenced, the permission remains in place unless the local authority serve a completion notice. If such a notice is served, the development must then be completed within 12 months.

If an outline planning application has been made, then the relevant reserved matters applications must be made within three years. The permission will then last for a further 2 years.