The CBI has urged the government to allow firms to extend planning permissions from the present 3 year time limit. At the moment a fresh applications has to be made, frequently at substantial expense, uncertainty, and delay. This can have a major effect on balance sheets and lead times when the recovery comes. Mercury Planning verdict: Thoroughly agree. The reduction from 5 to 3 years for these permissions was never needed. It takes far too long to secure a permission in the first place. Government is too sensitive to the concerns of the bureaucracy and should pay more attention to the delivery of capital investment.