VICTORIAN company Brile Pty Ltd's latest development application for the long-vacant C H Smith site is smaller, retains more heritage and is now open to public submissions.
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The development application before the Launceston City Council for a $16 million, two-stage, two-storey development is for restaurants, a cafe, retail and bulky goods store space, a child care centre and parking, a subdivision to remove the old cordial factory from the site and greater restorative works on the Charles Street facades.
The company's original $30 million project, which was for a three-storey development with up to 20 stores and eateries, has been stalled for about two years.
Brile financial controller Peter Velt said on Wednesday he was reluctant to say too much in light of the drawn-out process the company had already gone through.
"Over time and because of different issues, its continued delays, tenants have moved on because of the economic conditions and what we weren't able to deliver in a timely manner," Mr Velt said.
He said while the company was seeking to subdivide the old cordial factory from the main site to allow for works to get under way, he could not say if they were considering selling the building or if they would retain it.
Five previous reports, including one from its own architectural firm, found the old cordial factory too far gone and a "conservative" restoration figure was put at $600,000.
According to the DA the company has sought to buy a small area of Crown land in Canal Street, near where the old cordial factory sits, to allow for vehicle manoeuvring and a loading bay.
The subdivision would include the old cordial factory and the existing footpath to the west of the building in Canal Street and "is proposed in order to enhance the heritage prospect for future works to the former cordial factory".
The remnants of the former C H Smith woolstore, previously proposed to be demolished, would now also be retained and join the Charles Street facades already previously protected.
The company was given a $20,000 discount off a $30,000 fee in January to lodge its latest DA.
It followed the knockback of its DA by the Tasmanian Heritage Council last year, when it sought to demolish the old cordial factory, and after it had already paid about $27,000 in fees.
