The Diocese of Rochester covers West Kent plus the London boroughs of Bexley and Bromley with around 230 parishes. Rochester Cathedral is the second-oldest English cathedral (founded 604, after Canterbury). Modern parish estate includes substantial commuter-belt growth around Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks.
The Diocese of Rochester at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Jonathan Gibbs
- Coverage
- West Kent, the London boroughs of Bexley and Bromley
- Parishes
- ~230 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Mark Hill KC
- Capital programme
- Rochester Diocese Net Zero Capital Fund
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £20,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Rochester Cathedral (second-oldest English cathedral, founded 604)
- St Mary's Hadlow
- Tonbridge SS Peter and Paul
- Bromley Parish Church
- Tunbridge Wells King Charles the Martyr
Funding stack for Rochester parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Rochester combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester Diocese Net Zero Capital Fund | Up to £20,000 | 35-55% |
| 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 |
| Kent Solar Together community-buying scheme | Bulk-buying discount | 5-15% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Rochester
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Rochester, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Mark Hill 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 Rochester 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 Rochester
We deliver across the West Kent, the London boroughs of Bexley and Bromley footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Rochester parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Rochester, 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 — Rochester Diocese Net Zero 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 Rochester parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Rochester have?
Approximately 230 parishes across West Kent, the London boroughs of Bexley and Bromley.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Rochester?
Mark Hill KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Rochester 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 Rochester parish solar?
The principal route is the Rochester Diocese Net Zero Capital Fund, 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 Rochester?
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