Sarah Stewart joins Brodies as a senior associate and will be based in Aberdeen. With more than 14 years’ experience, Sarah specialises in planning issues for the housebuilding sector.

Also joining the team is associate Kendra Richardson. Based in Glasgow, Kendra has experience working with clients in the public and private sectors, especially on energy and infrastructure projects.

The third new hire is senior solicitor George Sismey-Durrant, who will be based in Edinburgh. George is English-qualified, and brings experience in the planning and environmental aspects of energy projects, social housing, contaminated land and mixed-use developments.

These three new hires will add strength to Brodies’ planning law team, which is ranked top tier by Chambers & Legal 500.

Brodies planning law partner, Neil Collar, said: “Planning permission is key to delivery of all real estate projects. Increasingly we are seeing more instructions in housebuilding, and energy, where subsidy-free projects are on the rise, as well as city centre projects such as Build To Rent and student accommodation. The appointment of Sarah, Kendra and George will add strength to our services, so that we can continue to support current and future clients in taking projects forward, and addressing any challenges they face.”