After months of wrangling with the council over operating conditions to be placed on his 13-year-old business, Mr Vincent "gave up the ghost" in December and stopped the tours.

Mr Vincent was initially critical of council's treatment of his business but was "feeling better" after a meeting with the council on Thursday and indicated the closure might not be permanent.

Wollondilly Council has asked the business to submit a development application seeking formal permission for tour groups to visit three sites owned by the council in Picton.

The council's demand for a DA was made after some residents complained about safety, car parking, noise, the general amenity of the area and ongoing maintenance of the sites.

The popular tours bring thousands of visitors to Picton each year.

The council's acting general manager, Ally Dench, said no new restrictions or new charges had been placed on the business.

Mr Vincent said the council had given him the license to continue under the existing conditions until the DA was determined. "But it would be wrong to open it now and then find the conditions make it too hard to operate," he said.

"It could take a few months and the concern then is can we regain momentum of the business."