Norwich church St Peter Mancroft has solar panels installed

Planning permission was granted by the city council in October for for solar panels to be placed on the south aisle roof of St Peter Mancroft Church, on the Hay Hill side.

The work is to help reduce the 15th-century church's carbon footprint by not only installing the solar panels but also replacing the interior lights and installing heat pumps - all of which is expected to be completed by the end of June.

Rev Edward Carter, the vicar of St Peter Mancroft, was already looking to bring solar panels to the building ever since arriving.

Workmen from Impact Services, prepare to lay solar panels on the roof of St Peter Mancroft church (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

Workmen on the roof of St Peter Mancroft church to lay solar panels (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

He added: "It’s so satisfying to see this project finally come to fruition.

"It's a comprehensive project to a grade I listed church at a time when the Net Zero agenda is one of the Church of England’s top priorities.

"The entire installation process is being filmed for use as a resource for other parishes who may want to be doing this themselves."

Rev Edward Carter with the batteries for the solar panels being fitted to the roof of St Peter Mancroft church (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

During the application process, Historic England described the church as "an exceptionally lavish example of late medieval ecclesiastical architecture" but said despite some concerns "on heritage grounds" that they did not object.

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With the architects of the project pointing to the "very low visual impact" of the panels and the low pitch of the roof hiding them from public view, the plans were approved.

St Peter Mancroft Church, in Hay Hill (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham Usher, is the Church of England's leader for the environment. Bishop Graham said: "I am delighted that the clergy and congregation at St Peter Mancroft have taken the journey to Net Zero Carbon seriously and have worked hard on ambitious plans.

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"As a major historic building in the centre of Norwich, their work will have widespread interest and hopefully help encourage other church communities to develop as well."

History of St Peter Mancroft Church

The church was originally established by Ralph de Gael, Earl of East Anglia, in 1075.

For 300 years it was known as St Peter of Gloucester in Norwich after Earl Ralph lost everything in rebellion against William the Conqueror.

Rev Edward Carter on the St Peter Mancroft church roof where workmen prepare to lay solar panels (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

It was later rebuilt in 1403 before being consecrated 25 years later, in 1455, and is now the current church seen today.

It's also the largest of the city's 31 surviving medieval parish churches.