Appeal in default of planning decision
8. Where any such application as is mentioned in paragraph 7(1) is made to the Department, then unless within such period as may be prescribed, or within such extended period as may be agreed upon in writing between the applicant and the Department, the Department gives notice to the applicant of its decision on the application, paragraph 7 shall apply in relation to the application—
(a)as if the consent or approval to which it relates had been refused by the Department; and
(b)as if notification of the Department’s decision had been received by the applicant at the end of the said prescribed period, or at the end of the said extended period, as the case may be.