The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon covers Swansea, the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog National Park), and Powys with around 150 parishes. Brecon Cathedral is the diocesan see and a former Benedictine priory church.
The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop John Lomas
- Coverage
- Swansea, Powys, the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)
- Parishes
- ~150 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- His Honour Mark Furness KC
- Capital programme
- Church in Wales Net Zero Carbon Fund (Swansea and Brecon allocation)
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £18,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Brecon Cathedral (former Benedictine priory)
- Swansea St Mary's
- Llanelli St Elli's
- Hay-on-Wye St Mary's
- Neath St Thomas
Funding stack for Swansea and Brecon parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Church in Wales Net Zero Carbon Fund | Up to £18,000 | 30-50% |
| Welsh Government Net Zero Public Sector | Variable | 10-25% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| Bannau Brycheiniog National Park heritage funds | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, His Honour Mark Furness 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 Swansea and Brecon 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 Swansea and Brecon
We deliver across the Swansea, Powys, the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Swansea and Brecon parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Swansea and Brecon, 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 — Church in Wales Net Zero Carbon Fund (Swansea and Brecon allocation), 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 Swansea and Brecon parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon have?
Approximately 150 parishes across Swansea, Powys, the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog).
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon?
His Honour Mark Furness KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon 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 Swansea and Brecon parish solar?
The principal route is the Church in Wales Net Zero Carbon Fund (Swansea and Brecon allocation), 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 Swansea and Brecon?
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