suitable privacy hedge but not too high!

I am renting a house that has a large cattle barn above a slope rising from the garden at the back.

I have no privacy at the back and so would like to grow a hedge at the top of the garden below the wall to hide the farmyard.

Naturally I dont want an anti-social one like leylandii that grows too high.

But I do want a hedge that cannot be looked through (possibly evergreen), preferably native and fast growing but growing to a full height of only 10 to 15 feet.

A number of friends suggested laurel but that grows to 40/50 feet!

Other suggested various conifers but I feel they are depressing to look out on and foreign.

I really wanted rhododendrums but I am told that they grow too slowly.

I need the privacy in the winter when the cattle are in the yard above so the hedge needs to be thick.
Thanks,
Sara........ :D

 

There is a problem here in that the things that will grow quickly will also want to keep growing. Would it be possible to put up a fence and trellis and grow climbers through it? That would give you quick results without having to worry about too much height.

 

Thats a good point and worth considering Mrs Cloudy, If I can afford it.
thanks,
sara.