Plant a hedge where there was previously undergrowth

I am currently working on planting my hedge along the neighbor's property. We have quite a strict requirement in the development plan that stipulates planting a 2m wide hedge with a 1m distance from the boundary. So far, this green strip contained fine scrub/grass/weeds. On the neighbor's side, there is a flower bed.

I want/can must plant a privet hedge.

I have already worked the scrub about 20-30cm into the soil with the motor cultivator/loosened it up well. By now, I’m not sure if that was a good idea and I am now considering how to treat the free strip in the near future so that it looks nice, is reasonably low-maintenance, and gives weeds no chance.

I am thinking of planting ground covers later on the 1m free area next to the neighbor to hold back weeds and avoid creating a bare patch. And the hedge itself is not directly 2m wide anyway. But until then, quite some time will certainly pass, and I am wondering what I could do with the soil in the meantime?

I don’t like bark mulch that much. Does it make sense to lay some kind of foil on the free strip to kill the weeds for now and then plant the ground covers later?

That would also be my first idea. But it is only provisional. In the long run, I am considering [Hackschnitzel]. I don't like [Rindenmulch] either. I find [Hackschnitzel] quite nice though. It smells fresher than [Rindenmulch] and when old it can weather so nicely, as long as it can dry out repeatedly.

I would plant the privet Lay out the weed fabric Cut holes for the ground cover plants and plant them. Cover the weed fabric with wood chips - it really looks better. You can pull out any blown-in greenery quite quickly that way. Do you really have to plant privet? There are such beautiful hedges and also affordable packages, e.g. [Vogelschutzhecken]

We have a rather strict requirement in the development plan that provides for the planting of a 2m wide hedge with a 1m distance from the boundary.

Does that mean 1m from the boundary to the first branch or 1m from the boundary to the trunk? In the second case, there will eventually be nothing left to maintain, and then I would install it that way. I don't like foil that much; it doesn't rot and therefore has to be removed at some point. There are some who swear by (unprinted) cardboard. Lay it out on the area and cover it with mulch. Then punch holes where you want your plants.

Do you really have to plant privet? There are such beautiful hedges and also affordable packages, e.g. bird protection hedges

Yes and no. I still have the choice of 3 other native trees (hazelnut and elderberry come to mind), but none of them are evergreen (or even less evergreen). However, since there is public traffic on the site, I definitely want strong privacy, even in winter. But I will plant 3-4 of the shrubs in addition for a bit more variety.

Does that mean 1m from the boundary to the first branch or 1m from the boundary to the trunk? In the second case, in the long run, nothing would be left to maintain, and then I would also lay it out that way.

I don't like foil that much; it doesn’t rot and therefore has to be removed eventually. There are some who swear by (unprinted) cardboard. They lay it out on the area and cover it with mulch. Then they make holes where they want their plants

It must be completely free for 1m.

And with the foil, I definitely planned to remove it again. I had in mind that it is a good way to eliminate weeds without chemicals (as long as it is laid there)?

No light -> no weeds. How this is done is not decisive for the effect.

And I don't understand the purpose of your development plan. Why a 1m strip that is difficult to maintain and not usable at all from the property...