The Diocese of St Albans covers Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and parts of the Barnet area with around 340 parishes. St Albans Cathedral (one of the oldest sites of continuous Christian worship in Britain — c. AD 209) is the third-tallest Cathedral in England and contains the tomb of England's first martyr. Strong commuter-belt parish estate.
The Diocese of St Albans at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Alan Smith
- Coverage
- Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, parts of Barnet
- Parishes
- ~340 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Roger Kaye KC
- Capital programme
- St Albans Diocese Parish Renewable Grants
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £20,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- St Albans Cathedral (oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain)
- St Mary's Luton (Grade I, largest parish church in Bedfordshire)
- Hemel Hempstead St Mary's
- Bedford St Paul's
- Watford St Mary's
Funding stack for St Albans parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of St Albans combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| St Albans Diocese Parish Renewable Grants | 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 |
| Herts/Beds County Council climate funds | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of St Albans
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of St Albans, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Roger Kaye 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 St Albans 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 St Albans
We deliver across the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, parts of Barnet footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of St Albans parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to St Albans, 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 — St Albans Diocese Parish Renewable Grants, 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 St Albans parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of St Albans have?
Approximately 340 parishes across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, parts of Barnet.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of St Albans?
Roger Kaye KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of St Albans 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 St Albans parish solar?
The principal route is the St Albans Diocese Parish Renewable Grants, 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 St Albans?
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