Running of Approval Period Tolled by Certain Disabilities. In the event that during the period of effectiveness provided for the approval of any application for development, the developer is barred, 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 effectiveness of approval under this chapter shall be suspended for the period of time the legal action is pending or such directive or order is in effect.