The Diocese of Chichester covers East and West Sussex and the unitary authority of Brighton and Hove, with around 470 parishes across coastal, suburban and rural Sussex. Strong heritage church estate with many medieval churches.
The Diocese of Chichester at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Martin Warner
- Coverage
- East and West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
- Parishes
- ~470 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Mark Hill KC
- Capital programme
- Chichester Diocese Net Zero Programme
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £22,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Chichester Cathedral
- St Mary's Brighton (the Pavilion Parish)
- St Bartholomew's Brighton
- Worth Abbey
- St Mary in the Castle Hastings
Funding stack for Chichester parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Chichester combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Chichester Diocese Net Zero Programme | Up to £22,000 | 35-55% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| Sussex Community Foundation grants | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Chichester
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Chichester, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Mark Hill 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 Chichester 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 Chichester
We deliver across the East and West Sussex, Brighton and Hove footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Chichester parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Chichester, 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 — Chichester Diocese Net Zero 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 Chichester parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Chichester have?
Approximately 470 parishes across East and West Sussex, Brighton and Hove.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Chichester?
Mark Hill KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Chichester 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 Chichester parish solar?
The principal route is the Chichester Diocese Net Zero Programme, with awards up to £22,000. 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 Chichester?
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.