The Diocese of Nottingham covers the East Midlands — Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Rutland — with around 180 Catholic parishes. St Barnabas Cathedral Nottingham (Pugin, 1844) is the diocesan see and one of Pugin's most important early works.
The Diocese of Nottingham (RC) at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Patrick McKinney
- Coverage
- Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland
- Parishes
- ~180 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Diocesan finance committee
- Capital programme
- Nottingham Diocese Capital Fund
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £18,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- St Barnabas Cathedral Nottingham (Pugin, 1844)
- St Mary's Catholic Church Derby (Pugin)
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church Leicester
- St Hugh's Cathedral Lincoln (RC)
- Northampton RC Cathedral
Funding stack for Nottingham (RC) parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Nottingham (RC) combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Diocese Capital Fund | Up to £18,000 | 30-50% |
| 0% VAT on the installation (energy-saving materials relief) | Zero-rated to 31 Mar 2027 | 0% VAT |
| EMCA East Midlands business decarbonisation | Variable | 5-10% |
| Pugin Society heritage support (relevant churches) | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Nottingham (RC)
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Nottingham (RC), any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Diocesan finance committee, 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 Nottingham (RC) 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 Nottingham (RC)
We deliver across the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Nottingham (RC) parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Nottingham (RC), 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 — Nottingham Diocese Capital 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 Nottingham (RC) parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Nottingham (RC) have?
Approximately 180 parishes across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Nottingham (RC)?
Diocesan finance committee grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Nottingham (RC) 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 Nottingham (RC) parish solar?
The principal route is the Nottingham Diocese Capital 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 Nottingham (RC)?
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