The Diocese of Carlisle covers Cumbria (the Lake District, Furness, west Cumbria, and north Cumbria) with around 260 parishes. One of the most rural CofE dioceses with many single-handed benefices. Carlisle Cathedral is one of the smallest English cathedrals but contains some of the finest medieval stained glass and the famous Brougham Triptych.
The Diocese of Carlisle at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Rob Saner-Haigh
- Coverage
- Cumbria
- Parishes
- ~260 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Geoffrey Tattersall KC
- Capital programme
- Carlisle Diocese Environment Programme
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £16,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Carlisle Cathedral (smallest English cathedral)
- Cartmel Priory
- St Mary's Penrith
- Lanercost Priory
- Furness Abbey ruins
Funding stack for Carlisle parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Carlisle combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Carlisle Diocese Environment Programme | Up to £16,000 | 30-50% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| Cumbria Community Foundation rural grants | £1,000-£10,000 | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Carlisle
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Carlisle, 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 Carlisle 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 Carlisle
We deliver across the Cumbria footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Carlisle parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Carlisle, 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 — Carlisle Diocese Environment Programme, 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 Carlisle parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Carlisle have?
Approximately 260 parishes across Cumbria.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Carlisle?
Geoffrey Tattersall KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Carlisle 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 Carlisle parish solar?
The principal route is the Carlisle Diocese Environment Programme, with awards up to £16,000. 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 Carlisle?
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
RELATED DIOCESES