9.—(1) A first improvement period or a final improvement period may, on the application of the senior officer or otherwise, be extended by the reporting officer.
(2) An extended final improvement period may, on the application of the senior officer or otherwise, be extended by the reporting officer.
(3) But an extension made under paragraph (1) or (2) must not result in any improvement period exceeding 12 months.
(4) If an improvement period is extended, the validity period specified in the relevant improvement notice must also be extended, provided that the validity period must end not later than 6 months after the end of the improvement period as extended.
(5) An extension of a validity period under paragraph (4) may result in that validity period, as extended, exceeding 12 months.
(6) If any improvement period or validity period is extended, any reference in these Regulations to that improvement period or validity period must be read as a reference to that period as extended.