Sarah's bio
Based in our Manchester studio, Sarah is Director of Landscape Planning at Gillespies, leading the practice’s environmental and landscape planning services, including Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA), development planning, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
A Chartered Landscape Architect and Landscape Institute Fellow, Sarah brings over 20 years of expertise in assessing the sensitivity and capacity of landscapes to accommodate change. She has advised on national guidance for Natural England and Natural Resources Wales on landscape sensitivity assessment to inform land use and spatial planning.
Her award-winning work spans major infrastructure projects, including highways, high-speed rail, and high-voltage transmission lines. Sarah is recognised for her expertise in the landscape planning of linear infrastructure and energy projects, with a strong focus on integrating landscape-led solutions into complex planning environments. Sarah aims to deliver sustainable, context-sensitive solutions that maximise environmental benefits while minimising adverse effects.
Sarah also brings specialist expertise in stakeholder and community engagement, supporting clients in managing consultation and securing planning approvals for high-profile and often contentious schemes. Sarah regularly appears as an expert witness at DCO hearings and public inquiries, underlining her authority in the field of landscape planning.
Notable projects include HS2, North Shropshire 132K Reinforcement Project and Shropshire Sensitivity Assessment.
