The Diocese of Newcastle covers Northumberland and northern Tyne and Wear, with around 170 parishes spanning urban Tyneside and the deeply rural Northumberland coast and hills. The Carbon Reduction Programme supports parish solar with North East Combined Authority decarbonisation funding layered in.
The Diocese of Newcastle at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley
- Coverage
- Northumberland and northern Tyne and Wear
- Parishes
- ~170 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Euan Duff
- Capital programme
- Newcastle Diocese Carbon Reduction Programme
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £20,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Newcastle Cathedral (St Nicholas)
- St Mary's Cathedral RC Newcastle
- All Saints Newcastle
- St Andrew's Newgate Street
- Tynemouth Priory church
Funding stack for Newcastle parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Newcastle combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Diocese Carbon Programme | 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% |
| NECA Decarbonisation Fund | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Newcastle
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Newcastle, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Euan Duff, 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle
We deliver across the Northumberland and northern Tyne and Wear footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Newcastle parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Newcastle, 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 — Newcastle Diocese Carbon Reduction Programme, 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 Newcastle parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Newcastle have?
Approximately 170 parishes across Northumberland and northern Tyne and Wear.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Newcastle?
Euan Duff grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Newcastle 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 Newcastle parish solar?
The principal route is the Newcastle Diocese Carbon Reduction Programme, 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 Newcastle?
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.