In the event that, during the period of approval heretofore
or hereafter granted to an application for development, the developer
is barred or prevented, directly or indirectly, from proceeding with
the development otherwise permitted under such approval by a legal
action instituted by any state agency, political subdivision or other
party to protect the public health and welfare or by a directive or
order issued by any state agency, political subdivision or court of
competent jurisdiction to protect the public health or welfare and
the developer is otherwise ready, willing and able to proceed with
said development, the running of the period of approval under this
chapter or under any ordinance repealed by this chapter, shall be
suspended for the period of time this legal action is pending or such
directive or order is in effect.