The 63-metre-long suspension bridge, linking the small Derby township with the dam also known as the Briseis Hole, would be placed opposite the Derby Town Hall and cross the Ringarooma River.

Dorset Council mayor Greg Howard, in December, said the bridge would create access to a new mountain bike trail specifically designed for families and less mobile riders.

The application was submitted by New Zealand engineering consultants Struktiva on behalf of the Dorset Council.

It shows the bridge would be capable of carrying 20 people and be made of timber, steel and wire rope.

The bridge would be anchored within the granite bedrock around the river and link to a new pathway off Main Street.

The trail would circumnavigate the Briseis Dam, as well as making use of the old tin mine cliff face to potentially expand activities into climbing and ziplining.

Gentle pathways would go up the side of the cliff to provide new lookouts across the dam, trail and town.

World Trail director Glen Jacobs, whose company developed the Blue Derby trails and is constructing the new family-friendly trail, said the route would unlock Derby’s ‘rare gem’ of the Briseis Dam.

Mr Jacobs said Derby’s location and history of tin mining meant there was always opportunity to make the most of existing infrastructure.

The expansion of the Blue Derby Trails follows the announcement that the Enduro World Series would return to Derby in 2019, hosting round two on March 30 next year.

Thousands of riders, spectators and journalists are expected to return to Derby for the series.

Mountain bike tourism across the North-East shows no sign of slowing down with the planned construction and linking of trails across St Helens and the Bay of Fires across to Derby.

The suspension bridge development application is currently open for community feedback on the Dorset Council website, with the Briseis Dam trail expected to open mid-2018.