All those who were concerned about the planning process re the Bath St site may like to log on to the council website www.edinburgh.gov.uk, click on Planning and the process, including objections, is explained.
Then click (also under Planning) on Conservations Areas - Character Appraisals - Portobello .
This explains what a Character Appraisal of a conservation area consists of, then covers the historial development of the area, townscape, streetscape, open spaces, building materials etc.
A Character Appraisal will be "a material consideration when [the local planning authority is] considering applications for development within an area". The Portobello appraisal was drawn up with the help of Portobello Amenity Society