The Diocese of Derby covers Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park, with around 210 parishes. Bishop Libby Lane was the first female bishop in the Church of England (consecrated 2015). The diocese mixes the urban Derby industrial heritage with deeply rural Peak District parishes.
The Diocese of Derby at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Libby Lane
- Coverage
- Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park
- Parishes
- ~210 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Mark Bishop
- Capital programme
- Derby Diocese Environmental Action Plan
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £18,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Derby Cathedral (All Saints)
- Chesterfield Crooked Spire (St Mary and All Saints)
- Pugin's St Mary's Catholic Church Derby
- Glossop Parish Church
- Bakewell All Saints
Funding stack for Derby parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Derby combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Derby Diocese Environmental Action Plan | 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% |
| EMCA East Midlands business decarbonisation | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Derby
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Derby, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Mark Bishop, 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 Derby 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 Derby
We deliver across the Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Derby parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Derby, 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 — Derby Diocese Environmental Action Plan, 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 Derby parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Derby have?
Approximately 210 parishes across Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Derby?
Mark Bishop grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Derby 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 Derby parish solar?
The principal route is the Derby Diocese Environmental Action Plan, 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 Derby?
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.