The Diocese of Bath and Wells covers most of Somerset including the historic see at Wells Cathedral — one of the most architecturally complete medieval English cathedrals. Around 490 parishes across rural Somerset, Mendip and the Bath conurbation.
The Diocese of Bath and Wells at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Michael Beasley
- Coverage
- Somerset and parts of North Somerset
- Parishes
- ~490 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Timothy Briden
- Capital programme
- Bath and Wells Environment Action Plan grants
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £20,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Wells Cathedral (the 'cathedral of cathedrals')
- Bath Abbey
- Glastonbury Tor / St Michael's Tower
- Sherborne Abbey (overlapping with Salisbury)
- Yeovil St John's
Funding stack for Bath and Wells parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Bath and Wells combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Bath and Wells Environment grants | Up to £20,000 | 35-55% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| WECA business decarbonisation grants | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Timothy Briden, on the advice of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). For a well-prepared solar application, the typical timescale from PCC resolution to faculty grant is 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings, extending to 18-26 weeks for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.
We have prepared faculty applications across the Diocese of Bath and Wells and know the DAC office, diocesan architect, and Net Zero Officer personally. See our 2026 PCC guide to faculty jurisdiction for the full process, or our faculty application service page for our delivery approach.
Cities and towns covered in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
We deliver across the Somerset and parts of North Somerset footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Bath and Wells parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Bath and Wells, PCC-ready report inside 7 working days
- On-site survey — structural and electrical engineers; engagement with diocesan architect
- Faculty application — Statement of Significance, Statement of Needs, DAC consultation, representation at chancery
- Grant applications — Bath and Wells Environment Action Plan grants, Buildings for Mission, Listed Places of Worship VAT scheme
- Install and commission — typically 1-3 weeks on site, with full PCC training and monitoring active
- Post-commissioning — Eco Church credit logged, parish magazine feature, annual carbon report
Common questions — Diocese of Bath and Wells parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Bath and Wells have?
Approximately 490 parishes across Somerset and parts of North Somerset.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Bath and Wells?
Timothy Briden grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Bath and Wells has committed to net zero by 2030, in line with (or ahead of) the Church of England's national 2030 General Synod commitment.
What grant funding is available for Bath and Wells parish solar?
The principal route is the Bath and Wells Environment Action Plan grants, with awards up to £20,000. This combines with national Buildings for Mission grants, the Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme, and charitable trust funding to typically cover 50-100% of capex.
How long does a faculty application take in the Diocese of Bath and Wells?
For a well-prepared solar faculty application, 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings; longer for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.