Thanks LFS for putting me right.... someone has pointed out to me that the non-approved route is still on going - I thought it had died last year, hence the confusion.
Vetflyer, I went from BCPL to JAR CPL doing the complex single flight test. I then locked in my fATPL exams on a JAR licence. I now have 36 months from my last CAA exam to get a JAA IR on an approved JAA course.
As I'm doing the ultra slow cheapo route I'm currently half way through my IR on a non complex single - I do the test and my ATPL's are frozen - I've got another 18 months time to go to complete it this way.
I have a letter from the CAA clarifying the above is legitamate.
If you are running out of time - suggest you do the BCPL to JAR CPL test and get a JAR CPL issued before the end of June then you have 36 months from your last exam. That might help with more time.
Regards