Fence or hedge

newbie2

Hi all, looking for views on this please,
I have a fairly large garden (compared to many modern gardens) which is surrounded by 10 foot high box hedging on one side, leyland cypress on another and a mixed shrub hedge on another. There's then a 4/5 foot flower bed before the lawn. I'm considering removing the hed
ges and replacing them with a similar sized fence. But the problem is I can't make my mind up on whether to do it at all.
By doing it I'll gain 4 foot on each side of my garden, I'll also not have to clip them 2 or three times a year - pretty difficult when it's raining all the time and when there's a 4' bed in the way. Slugs and snails would be reduced, more light will get in and the back of the border would look generally tidier.
On the other hand - a 10' box hedge is not an cheap thing to replace. A natural plant backdrop is ultimatly better looking than a fence (although I will paint it a dark green). Lots of birds nest in the hedgerow, wildlife can pass through easier than a fence. Removing the hedges and getting a fence installed looks like it can be messy and expensive(I live in a terraced house).

I'd appreciate and ideas you might have on this conundrum. Has anyone had a similar experience. Does anybody have any idea of cost? (70'x20'x70') I'm really struggling to make a decision.

Thanks all

muggyog

My suggestion is to cull the leyland cypress which I would regard as a pernicious weed ( should be grouped with ragwort ) and keep the rest. I know the clipping is a pain but timber fencing has to be maintained too (at a financial cost). Maybe adjustment of the four foot bed to allow easier access would be a better option.