The Diocese of Lichfield is the largest CofE diocese by parish count in the West Midlands, covering Staffordshire, north Shropshire and the Black Country. The diocesan Carbon Grants programme supports parish-level solar across over 570 parishes, with strong engagement from the West Midlands Combined Authority on industrial-area decarbonisation context.
The Diocese of Lichfield at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Michael Ipgrave
- Coverage
- Staffordshire, north Shropshire, the Black Country
- Parishes
- ~570 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- His Honour David Pearl
- Capital programme
- Lichfield Diocesan Carbon Grants
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £25,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Lichfield Cathedral (diocesan see)
- St Peter's Collegiate Church Wolverhampton
- Wolverhampton Cathedral (Hindu, formerly St John's)
- St Peter ad Vincula Stoke-on-Trent
- Mount Pleasant Methodist Chapel (Burslem, Mother Church of Primitive Methodism)
Funding stack for Lichfield parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Lichfield combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance Carbon Grants | £10,000-£25,000 | 40-60% |
| 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 |
| WMCA business decarbonisation grants | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Lichfield
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Lichfield, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, His Honour David Pearl, 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 Lichfield 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 Lichfield
We deliver across the Staffordshire, north Shropshire, the Black Country footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Lichfield parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Lichfield, 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 — Lichfield Diocesan Carbon 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 Lichfield parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Lichfield have?
Approximately 570 parishes across Staffordshire, north Shropshire, the Black Country.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Lichfield?
His Honour David Pearl grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Lichfield 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 Lichfield parish solar?
The principal route is the Lichfield Diocesan Carbon Grants, with awards up to £25,000. 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 Lichfield?
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
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