Sharpe delivered a speech to the Local Board of Health on Monday 24th

December 1849 entitled “A proposal for supplying the town of Lancaster with water, and for improving its sewerage.”

The plans he produced for new sewerage and water supply became the basis for the improved water system in the town after 1852.

His architectural heritage to Lancaster can be seen in the design of St Paul's Church, Scotforth 1874-76.