The Diocese of Durham covers County Durham and the northern Tyneside area, including Sunderland and Gateshead, with around 210 parishes. Durham Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest Norman buildings in Europe. The diocese spans the rural Pennines to the urban Tyne and Wear conurbation.
The Diocese of Durham at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Paul Butler
- Coverage
- County Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Hartlepool, Darlington
- Parishes
- ~210 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- David Hodge KC
- Capital programme
- Durham Diocese Net Zero Plan grants
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £20,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Durham Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site, Norman)
- St Peter's Monkwearmouth Sunderland (Saxon, AD 674)
- Sunderland Minster (St Michael's)
- St Mary's Hexham (overlapping)
- Gateshead St Mary's
Funding stack for Durham parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Durham combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Durham Diocese Net Zero Plan 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% |
| NECA North East Combined Authority Decarbonisation Fund | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Durham
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Durham, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, David Hodge 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 Durham 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 Durham
We deliver across the County Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Hartlepool, Darlington footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Durham parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Durham, 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 — Durham Diocese Net Zero 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 Durham parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Durham have?
Approximately 210 parishes across County Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Hartlepool, Darlington.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Durham?
David Hodge KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Durham 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 Durham parish solar?
The principal route is the Durham Diocese Net Zero 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 Durham?
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