A COUNCILLOR says a 60-acre public woodland should retain its natural beauty rather than be given a makeover using sculptures.
Members of Pinewoods Conservation Group, in Harrogate, are consulting the public about whether to introduce wooden figures, including animals.
The woods, a popular place for walkers, are between Harrogate's Valley Gardens and the Royal Horticultural Society's Harlow Carr Botanical Gardens.
Councillor Jim Clark, a member of Harrogate Borough Council and the woodland group, said: "I think this is something we can do without.
"Why should we want to put artificial things in the natural woodland?"
"We don't want to turn it into a glorified theme park when its natural beauty is what attracts people."
When the Royal Horticultural Society wanted to chop down 200 trees in the Pinewoods to create extra parking space for Harlow Carr 18 months ago, Coun Clark successfully opposed the plan, claiming it would ruin the woodland.
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