Hi Peter,
I planted a hedge earlier this year for just this reason - opted for the native Hornbeam (Carpinus Betulus) in the end. It can tolerate a range of conditions and grows quite quickly, will form a good solid hedge if pruned properly.
If you want top add a bit of security then Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa) and Hawthorn (Crataugus Monogyna) also make excellent hedges. Nothing to stop you doing a mixed hedge for aesthetics sake, add Field Maple, Holly etc (although this suckers and can be a pain).
You should be able to buy bare-root stock fairly soon (and plant them during winter) and this is the cheapest way to do it although if you can find container grown plants cheaply then this gives the hedge a bit of a head start. I have planted them at 12 inch spacing but they could be further apart.
Yeah, some kind of temporary fencing could be a good idea (but nothing too solid) until the hedge is established, also need to be protected from rabbits, deer, etc . My hive is only about a meter from the hedge, giving the most shelter and forcing them up on their flight path.
Cheers