The Diocese of Ely covers Cambridgeshire and parts of west Norfolk with around 330 parishes. Ely Cathedral (the 'Ship of the Fens') is one of the finest Norman buildings in England, visible across the East Anglian fenland. Cambridge sits within the diocese — Great St Mary's is the University Church and Round Church is one of four round churches in England.
The Diocese of Ely at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Stephen Conway
- Coverage
- Cambridgeshire and parts of west Norfolk
- Parishes
- ~330 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- David Mark Hodge KC
- Capital programme
- Ely Diocese Environment Plan grants
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £20,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Ely Cathedral (the 'Ship of the Fens', Norman)
- Great St Mary's Cambridge (the University Church)
- Round Church Cambridge (one of four round churches in England)
- Our Lady and the English Martyrs Cambridge (RC, Hills Road)
- Wisbech St Peter and St Paul
Funding stack for Ely parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Ely combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Ely Diocese Environment 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% |
| CPCA Cambridgeshire and Peterborough business grants | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Ely
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Ely, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, David Mark 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 Ely 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 Ely
We deliver across the Cambridgeshire and parts of west Norfolk footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Ely parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Ely, 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 — Ely Diocese Environment 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 Ely parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Ely have?
Approximately 330 parishes across Cambridgeshire and parts of west Norfolk.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Ely?
David Mark Hodge KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Ely 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 Ely parish solar?
The principal route is the Ely Diocese Environment 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 Ely?
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