The Diocese of Truro covers Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with around 220 parishes — one of the more compact CofE dioceses by parish count. Truro Cathedral (1880-1910) is one of the youngest English cathedrals, designed by John Loughborough Pearson. Strong Methodist tradition alongside the CofE estate in Cornwall.
The Diocese of Truro at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Hugh Nelson
- Coverage
- Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
- Parishes
- ~220 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Tim Briden
- Capital programme
- Truro Diocese Environment Programme
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £18,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Truro Cathedral (one of the youngest English cathedrals)
- St Petroc's Padstow
- St Mary's Truro
- Penzance St Mary's
- Falmouth King Charles the Martyr
Funding stack for Truro parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Truro combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Truro Diocese Environment Programme | Up to £18,000 | 30-50% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| Cornwall Council climate emergency funds | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Truro
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Truro, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Tim Briden, 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 Truro 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 Truro
We deliver across the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Truro parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Truro, 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 — Truro Diocese Environment 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 Truro parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Truro have?
Approximately 220 parishes across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Truro?
Tim Briden grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Truro 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 Truro parish solar?
The principal route is the Truro Diocese Environment Programme, 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 Truro?
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.