Efforts to secure £1.4m of Lottery funding towards a new heritage hub in Newcastle have taken a step forward, following a meeting of the local authority's executive.

Newcastle City Council (NCC) has agreed to provide £125,500 as matched capital funding for a stage two application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The council's total contribution to the Old Newcastle project now stands at £161,000 and will be spread between 2011-12 and 2016-17. The total cost of the scheme is £1.6m.

Old Newcastle aims to revitalise the city's 13th century, Grade I-listed Black Gate, which is to be brought back into public use as a heritage and education resource. The facility will act as a heritage hub and will be linked to its medieval neighbours - Castle Keep and the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas.

The final stage two application to the HLF will be submitted in June, with a decision set to be made in September. If approved, work could start in January 2012.