The Diocese of Blackburn covers most of Lancashire with around 280 parishes. Strong industrial-heritage church estate from the cotton-mill era plus medieval foundations in towns like Lancaster, Kirkham, and Whalley. Bishop Philip North is one of the more theologically traditional CofE bishops.
The Diocese of Blackburn at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Philip North
- Coverage
- Lancashire (most), parts of Cumbria
- Parishes
- ~280 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Geoffrey Tattersall KC
- Capital programme
- Blackburn Diocese Carbon Reduction Fund
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £18,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Blackburn Cathedral
- Lancaster Priory (St Mary)
- Preston Minster
- Whalley Parish Church
- Lancaster Castle Chapel
Funding stack for Blackburn parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Blackburn combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Blackburn Diocese Carbon Reduction Fund | Up to £18,000 | 30-50% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| Lancashire County Council climate emergency funds | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Blackburn
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Blackburn, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Geoffrey Tattersall KC, 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 Blackburn 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 Blackburn
We deliver across the Lancashire (most), parts of Cumbria footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Blackburn parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Blackburn, 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 — Blackburn Diocese Carbon Reduction Fund, 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 Blackburn parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Blackburn have?
Approximately 280 parishes across Lancashire (most), parts of Cumbria.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Blackburn?
Geoffrey Tattersall KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Blackburn 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 Blackburn parish solar?
The principal route is the Blackburn Diocese Carbon Reduction Fund, with awards up to £18,000. 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 Blackburn?
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.
Related dioceses and resources
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