A report jointly commissioned by Heart of Midlothian Football Club and City of Edinburgh Council has concluded that the redevelopment of the club's Tynecastle Stadium is "not a viable option".

The report also warns that "doing nothing is not an option" as Tynecastle "is in poor condition, lacks many amenities, is constrained by adjacent occupiers and is non UEFA compliant".

The report, which aimed to provide the club and its stakeholders with a clear independent opinion about stadium development options, was submitted to City of Edinburgh Council this week and recommends that an alternative site for a new stadium is sought that is "entirely sustainable and commercially viable".

Parallels for a potential new stadium development in Edinburgh are made with council and football club partnerships that produced "exceptional examples" of Hull's KC Stadium and Bolton's Reebok Stadium.

The report, produced over three months by consultants Doig+Smith and GVA Grimley, identifies a land requirement varying between 12 to 16 acres for a standalone stadium site comprising required facilities and parking.

A series of corporate structures are identified which provide optional frameworks for the potential future funding requirements of any new stadium development.

A new stadium must be self-sustainable and commercially viable and Hearts acknowledge that the stadium facility would also be capable of hosting other top class sports, corporate, arts and entertainment events although the club has categorically excluded the option of an athletics track in the stadium.

The wider economic opportunity presented to Edinburgh is also explored with comparisons drawn with other UK cities including neighbour Glasgow which currently enjoys a wide range of first class football, sporting and indoor arenas.

The report also identifies the partnership requirement by Hearts to make this project occur stating "The Club believe there is a quantifiable need for a new community, multi-purpose venue in west Edinburgh and they are prepared to participate in a strong partnership by the provision of finance and will occupy the stadium as a tenant or a co-funder/owner."

In the same way that other UK cities have been asked to partner major sporting projects, the report goes on to request that City of Edinburgh Council now formally consider the principle of entering into a formal partnership agreement with Hearts to explore the business case for developing a new stadium in Edinburgh that forms a viable, long term investment asset for both the city and the football club.

A club spokesperson said: "The emotional ties are undoubtedly to try and redevelop the existing Tynecastle Stadium however this report highlights the extreme difficulties the club faces. The club is suffocating in its present location but the owner and Board remain determined to develop a first class footballing arena in the city. The report provides a number of significant recommendations relating to potential partnership models and we will consider these over the coming weeks. We must deliver a new stadium in order to meet our aim of building a top class football team based in west Edinburgh. In turn, we will be better able to reflect the city's desire for greater business growth, job creation, revenue generation, attraction of more visitors to the city and showcase Edinburgh as a true footballing and sports city as well as a Festival city."

The Council will now need to consider the report. If the Council does accept the recommendation to enter partnership with Hearts it would take at least a further number of months to complete a robust and informed business case for a new stadium development. The business case would include details of any formal partnership vehicle, funding requirements and the model for operation and ownership of the stadium.

The results of a separate consultation survey carried out by the club and issued in September showed that, if the club had to move from its existing Tynecastle site, the vast majority of Hearts supporters favoured a move to a new stadium with a capacity of between 20,000 and 30,000 within a five mile radius of the existing stadium. Hearts supporters also backed the use of the stadium for other events including music concerts, exhibitions and rugby matches.

The report concludes by recommending that a detailed analysis and development appraisal of potential new sites from 16 acres plus, in central/west Edinburgh is required up to 5 miles drive from Tynecastle. The role of City of Edinburgh Council also requires to be defined and agreed and the continuing consultation with supporters is acknowledged.

The Council will now need to consider a brief for a study looking at the business case for a community stadium at the Economic Development committee on 20 December.

Today on the new look HeartsTV and Official App - exclusive post-match reaction from Paulo Sergio and Danny Grainger, plus U19 highlights.