The Diocese of Leicester covers Leicestershire and Rutland with around 230 parishes. Leicester Cathedral became the burial place of King Richard III in 2015 after the Greyfriars excavation. Strong parish solar take-up since the Solar Fund launched.
The Diocese of Leicester at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Martyn Snow
- Coverage
- Leicestershire and the unitary authority of Rutland
- Parishes
- ~230 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Naomi Gyane
- Capital programme
- Leicester Diocese Solar Fund
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £18,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Leicester Cathedral (St Martin's, burial place of Richard III since 2015)
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church Leicester
- St Mary de Castro Leicester
- Market Harborough St Dionysius
- Loughborough All Saints
Funding stack for Leicester parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Leicester combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester Diocese Solar Fund | Up to £18,000 | 30-50% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| 0% VAT on the installation (energy-saving materials relief) | Zero-rated to 31 Mar 2027 | 0% VAT |
| Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Leicester
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Leicester, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Naomi Gyane, 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 Leicester 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 Leicester
We deliver across the Leicestershire and the unitary authority of Rutland footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Leicester parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Leicester, 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 — Leicester Diocese Solar Fund, 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 Leicester parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Leicester have?
Approximately 230 parishes across Leicestershire and the unitary authority of Rutland.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Leicester?
Naomi Gyane grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Leicester 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 Leicester parish solar?
The principal route is the Leicester Diocese Solar Fund, 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 Leicester?
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