The Diocese of Carlisle has completed work on its second net zero carbon vicarage.

The four-bedroom property, purchased in 2022, replaces the village's previous vicarage and has undergone extensive eco-friendly upgrades in recent months.

These include the removal of the old electric-only heating system, installation of underfloor heating and insulated floors, insulation of external timber cladding, and the addition of an air source heat pump, solar panels on the southern elevation, and a battery storage unit.
(Image: Dave Roberts)

Nick Paxman, the diocesan property manager, said: "The Diocese has committed £250,000 a year for the next five years for net zero carbon works to vicarages.

"That goes towards the cost of the air source heat pumps and the solar panels and batteries.

"It is estimated that because of the old electric-only heating system that was in place in this property originally, the building had a carbon footprint of about 20 tonnes a year.

"With all the work that we have undertaken, that has been reduced to 1.2 tonnes a year which will be further offset by the air source heating and the solar panel installations, meaning this is a net zero carbon vicarage."

The project, which took six months to complete, also includes the conversion of a double garage into a new study for the village's new vicar.

The Rev Lawrence Basham will assume the role of rector of Grasmere, vicar of Rydal, and chaplain to Rydal Hall from November 5.

He and his family—wife Jemma and their four children aged between 6 and 13—are now in the process of moving into the new eco-vicarage from their current home in Staveley.

Mr Basham said: "For us as a family, we are very excited to be living in the second eco-vicarage in the Diocese.

"We are bringing up a family and a major concern for our children is creation and the environment, so this house is a witness to my family and the wider village.

"This is a vicarage and, as much as it will be our family home, it will also be a centre for mission and so the village will be able to connect with this eco-property as we look to serve the whole community."

The family also expects to see a reduction in their monthly energy bills compared to their previous payments.

This is the second eco-vicarage to be completed in the Diocese, with work on the Natland vicarage having been finished in January.

The net zero carbon status for the property will be monitored using a national Church of England energy footprint tool, which is also used for church buildings, schools, and the Diocesan head office in Penrith.

This follows the Diocesan Synod in October 2023, at which members formally endorsed the Diocesan Net Zero Action Plan in line with the national Church of England’s 2030 Net Zero target date.

Meanwhile, work is ongoing to upgrade a property in Wigton to create a third net zero carbon vicarage, which is expected to be completed by Christmas.

Work is also planned for a vicarage in Plumpton as well as a new build property in Maryport.