Practice
Client satisfaction is our priority; we have the capability to progress schemes rapidly from appraisal and design through to contract and completion. We are experienced lead contract administrators and as members of multi-disciplinary design teams. We believe that early incorporation of landscape design and management expertise into development projects can bring major benefits of a fundamental kind and often for a cost saving.
Who We Are
Neil Northrop
Director
BA DipLD MCIHort MArborA CMLI
Neil is an experienced Chartered Landscape Architect, Arboriculturalist and Ecologist who is experienced in the full design and construction work stages, from initial client liaison, feasibility, concept design, planning applications, detail design, specification, management plans, BREEAM accreditation and on-site services. He has realised some Weddles largest projects, such as the 2014 World Horticulture Expo Glasshouse and Pizhou City Masterplan. Neil is a visiting tutor for Sheffield University.
Chris Braine
Director
BA (Hons) MLA MCIHort CMLI
Chris has a broad skill base as a Chartered Landscape Architect, member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Associate of the Arboriculture Association. He has over 15 years professional experience since graduating from Sheffield University, including practices in London, Sydney and Melbourne. During this time he has delivered many complex and wide ranging projects through planning and into construction. Chris is a keen hiker, road cyclist and climber.
Tom Beaumont
Senior Landscape Architect
Bsc DipLA MCIHort CMLI
Having previously worked in a number of UK and international practices, Tom brings a wealth of design, horticulture knowledge and implementation skills to Weddles. His strength lies in working closely with clients to understand their aspirations, to produce cost effective designs. He is a Chartered Landscape Architect and a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture. Tom has a passion for running and illustration.
John Harvey
Senior Ecologist
BA (Hons) MA ACIEEM
John is an Associate level CIEEM member, who has worked in ecology consultancy since 2014 after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a BA in Urban and Environmental Planning. He is well experienced in all ecological survey techniques, and currently holds a Level 1 Bat Class Licence, Level 1 GCN Licence and Badger Class Licence. John received a 1st Class MA in Landscape Management from the University of Sheffield in 2023, his dissertation was on Biodiversity Net Gain compliance in the practitioner workplace.
Amy Wardle
Consultant Ecologist
BA (Hons) MA
Amy has an interdisciplinary background, but her focus has always been studying and working for nature. She graduated in 2019, winner of the Palgrave/Edward Carpenter Award for Animal Studies at the University of Sheffield. She undertook her first season in ecology in 2018, and has also worked in landscape-scale ecological restoration across the north. Birds are her growing specialism, along with mammals. Amy enjoys all outdoor activities, but is often found cycling.
Rob Royston
Landscape Architect
BSc (Hons), MA, CMLI
Rob is a chartered Landscape Architect having gained 5 years experience working in the charity and private sectors in London. During this time, he gained a wide variety of experience delivering education, healthcare, and public realm schemes from inception through to implementation with a particular focus on nature-based solutions. Rob’s background in psychology and passion for nature inform his approach to landscape design. He enjoys paddleboarding, painting and hiking.
Esther Hyde
Landscape Assistant
BA (Hons) MA
Esther joined our team in 2023 after graduated from her MA in Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield, with special interest in restorative urban design and active travel. She previously was part of Beanies Wholefoods co-operative in Sheffield. Esther loves climbing and cycling.
James McGrath
Landscape Assistant
BA (Hons) MA
After completing a MA in Landscape Architecture at Writtle College in Essex, James then worked for two years in the industry before moving up to Sheffield and joining Weddles in 2024. During his time at college, he developed an interest in urban regeneration projects as well as exploring how disused city spaces can be used for food growing. James enjoys playing music in his spare time.
Cian Oldfield
Assistant Ecologist
BSc (Hons) MRes
Cian joined us in 2022 after completing his Master of Research in Evolution and Behaviour at the University of Sheffield. Alongside his role as Assistant Ecologist, Cian is our in-house GIS Manager and R Studio Technician. He has a wealth of experience working with Great Crested Newts and holds a Level 1 GCN licence. Cian loves all things outdoors and is a keen climber, holding a Level 2 Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue licence. He is currently working toward his BS5837 tree surveying accreditation.
Imogen Glover
Landscape Assistant
BSc (Hons)
Imogen has joined us for her year out during her MLA Landscape Architecture with Ecology degree at Sheffield University. She has a particular interest in public perception and use of outdoor environments. She provides support to both the landscape and ecology teams and is learning basic arboricultural skills.
Tom Watts
Assistant Ecologist
MBiolSci
Tom joined us in 2024 after graduating with an MBiolSci from the University of Sheffield, where he worked primarily on the evolutionary association between morphology and ecological function. He has a keen interest in ecology and evolutionary biology, and enjoys walking in the Peak District and cooking.
Gabi Watson
Year Out Landscape Assistant
Gabi has joined us for her year out during her MLA Landscape Architecture with Planning degree at The University of Sheffield. She is enjoying learning more about ecology to supplement both her work and outdoor interests such as hiking in the Peaks and running.
Natalie Blundell
Office Manager
Natalie joined us in 2024 to provide office support to our expanding team. She has a wide range of property related experience together with plenty of administration skills. Natalie enjoys live music, food markets and walks in the Peaks.
Awards and Shortlists
2024 Sheffield Design Awards Shortlist ‘Company of the Year Award’
2024 Sheffield Design Awards ‘Open Space Award’ Shortlist Northern General Hospital ‘Wellbeing Garden’
2022 Sheffield Design Awards ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2018 Sheffield Design Awards ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2013 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Heriot-Watt University Campus
2013 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Heriot-Watt University Campus
2013 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2012 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Heriot-Watt Formal Garden & Woodland
2011 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2010 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Old Bailey
2009 Civic Trust Award Humber Bridge
2007 Academy of Urbanism ‘The Great Place Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2006 Horticulture Week ‘Best Landscape Project’ The Oval
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2007 Landscape Institute ‘President’s Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2004 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2004 Royal Fine Arts Commission ‘Jeu d’esprit Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2004 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ KC Stadium
2004 European Federation of Interior ‘Landscaping Groups Gold Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2003 Royal Fine Arts Commission Trust ‘Building Of The Year’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2003 RIBA ‘Yorkshire Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2003 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2003 Variety Club of Great Britain Best Regeneration Award Sheffield Winter Garden
2003 RICS Pro Yorkshire Award for Design & Innovation Sheffield Winter Garden
2003 Wood Award Shortlist Sheffield Winter Garden
2003 British Guild of Travel Writers Commendation Sheffield Winter Garden
2003 Yorkshire Regional Award Old Bailey
2002 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
2000 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Sheffield Winter Garden
1997 Queens Silver Jubilee Award Drax Power Station
1995 BALI ‘Grand Award’ British Nuclear Fuels HQ
1995 Civic Trust ‘Green Flag Award’ Drax Ash Mound
1993 ‘Office of the Year’ The Pearl
1993 BALI ‘Fison Principe Award’ The Pearl
1993 ‘Facilities Management Award’ The Pearl
1991 ‘European Better Environment Award’ Stocksbridge Engineering Steels
1986 Bali ‘Fison Principe Award’ Drax Power Station
1985 Bali ‘Fison Principe Award’ British Nuclear Fuels HQ
1981-2011 20+ Horticulture Week Awards
1957-2018 50+ Additional Minor Awards
ClientsBarnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Humberside County Council
Liverpool City Council
Sheffield City Council
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CouncilsRotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council
York City Council
Central Lancashire New Town
Skelmersdale New Town
Mosborough New Town
Department of Transport
Property Services Agency
Scottish Development Agency
Northern Counties Housing Association
EducationHeriot-Watt University
University of Liverpool
Sheffield University
University of Bradford
Rotherham Schools
Durham University
IndustrialNational Grid
National Power
East Midlands Electricity
British Nuclear Fuels
Humber Bridge Board
Halcrow
Stocksbridge Engineering Steels
Avesta Sheffield
Slag Reduction Company
CEGB
Nirex
Low Level Waste Repository
Freeman Fox and Partners
ServicesUKAEA
Telewest
NTL
Bell Cable
Cabletel
Yorkshire Water
Severn Trent Water
East of Scotland Water
HealthDoncaster Hospitals NHS Trust
Nottingham Hospital NHS Trust
Rotherham Hospitals NHS Trust
Trent Regional Health Authority
PrivateSolicitors
Estate Agents
Property Surveyors
Architects and Developers
Private householders
Youth Hostel Association
Sir Owen Williams and Partners
English Partnerships
Pearl Assurance
Hanson Trust
York Rowntree Trust
SPA Lanscapes
Rippon Homes
History
We are a long established practice founded by Professor Arnold Weddle. He trained as an Architect after the second World War and subsequently worked as a Planning Officer for a short time. His interests were in Landscape Planning and he became Lecturer in Landscape Architecture in the Department of Civic Design at Liverpool University in 1956. In 1967 he established the department of Landscape Architecture at Sheffield University.
Prior to this he established ‘Arnold Weddle Town Planning and Landscape Consultant’ in 1957, which would go on to become Weddles. At this time the small profession of Landscape Architecture had only 120 qualified to work independently and only a handful were running successful practice. In 1977 the practice was renamed ‘Professor A E Weddle Landscape and Planning Consultant’ it was later incorporated as ‘Landscape Research Office Ltd’ in 1987.
Mike Browell took over the practice in 1992 and the trading name became ‘Weddle Landscape Design’ and our work became Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning to reflect our services in Arboriculture and Ecology. In 2005 the practice offices moved to the Mews Studio at 8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield where it remained for 18 years until 2023. Neil Northrop took over the practice in 2020 and was joined by fellow director Chris Braine in 2022. The office is now located in the Grade II former snuff mill on Sharrow Vale Road, Sheffield.