This section applies where—
an application is made for the renewal of a certificate on or before the day which falls 8 weeks before the day at the end of which the certificate is due to expire, but
the chief officer of police does not determine whether or not to grant the application before the certificate is due to expire.
The certificate continues in force by virtue of this subsection until whichever of the following events occurs first—
the chief officer determines whether or not to grant the application;
the extension period ends.
In subsection (2), “the extension period” means the period of 8 weeks beginning with the day after the day at the end of which the certificate was due to expire.
If the event mentioned in subsection (2)(a) occurs first, and the chief officer grants the application, any period for which the certificate continued in force under subsection (2) is to be treated for the purposes of section 28A(1) as part of the period for which the renewed certificate is in force.
This section does not apply in relation to the renewal of a certificate granted or last renewed in Northern Ireland.