The Diocese of London covers Greater London north of the Thames and contains around 410 parishes — among the densest CofE estates in the world. The London Diocesan Fund 2030 Net Zero Strategy combines parish-level capital grants with diocesan-wide carbon reporting. The Wren City churches and the wider London heritage estate require particularly careful heritage-design treatment.
The Diocese of London at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Sarah Mullally
- Coverage
- Greater London north of the Thames
- Parishes
- ~410 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Morag Ellis KC
- Capital programme
- London Diocesan Fund 2030 Net Zero Strategy
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £30,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- St Paul's Cathedral
- Westminster Abbey (Royal Peculiar, not diocesan)
- St Bride's Fleet Street
- St Martin-in-the-Fields
- All Souls Langham Place
Funding stack for London parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of London combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| London Diocesan Fund 2030 Net Zero | Up to £30,000 | 50-70% |
| 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 |
| GLA London Environment Strategy support | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of London
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of London, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Morag Ellis 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 London 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 London
We deliver across the Greater London north of the Thames footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of London parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to London, 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 — London Diocesan Fund 2030 Net Zero Strategy, 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 London parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of London have?
Approximately 410 parishes across Greater London north of the Thames.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of London?
Morag Ellis KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of London 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 London parish solar?
The principal route is the London Diocesan Fund 2030 Net Zero Strategy, with awards up to £30,000. 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 London?
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