The Diocese of Liverpool covers Liverpool, Merseyside and parts of west Lancashire with around 180 parishes. Liverpool Anglican Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the UK by volume and Britain's tallest cathedral. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority operates a Net Zero Innovation Fund supporting community-sector decarbonisation alongside the diocesan programme.
The Diocese of Liverpool at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop John Perumbalath
- Coverage
- Liverpool, Merseyside, parts of west Lancashire
- Parishes
- ~180 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Sir Mark Hedley
- Capital programme
- Liverpool Diocese Carbon Action Plan
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £20,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Liverpool Cathedral (Anglican, largest UK cathedral by volume)
- Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (RC)
- St Nicholas Liverpool Parish Church
- St George's Hall (Grade I)
- Sefton Park Old Church
Funding stack for Liverpool parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Liverpool combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool Diocese Carbon Action Plan | 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% |
| Liverpool City Region Net Zero Innovation Fund | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Liverpool
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Liverpool, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Sir Mark Hedley, 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 Liverpool 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 Liverpool
We deliver across the Liverpool, Merseyside, parts of west Lancashire footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Liverpool parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Liverpool, 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 — Liverpool Diocese Carbon 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 Liverpool parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Liverpool have?
Approximately 180 parishes across Liverpool, Merseyside, parts of west Lancashire.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Liverpool?
Sir Mark Hedley grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Liverpool 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 Liverpool parish solar?
The principal route is the Liverpool Diocese Carbon Action Plan, 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 Liverpool?
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