Personally, I would go for fencing - but make it an attractive, statement one.
My preference would be for long narrow (about 7cm) horizontal slats spaced about 5cm apart. They could be stained black or left natural. The fence can be any height you want as you just screw the slats to fence posts cut to the appropriate height. You can accommodate slopes by stepping the fence, but the actual slats must be perfectly horizontal or it looks awful.
That would look clean, smart, modern and not take up much more depth than the fence posts. It's not a solid barrier so less of a F.O.fence just a diffuse screen. Wind can pass through so it shouldn't be affected by gales like a normal fence can be. There is also a gap between the bottom slat and the ground so fewer problems with wood rotting etc
If you really felt the need, you could plant a lightweight climber to twine through it (such as clematis per @Fairygirl 's suggestion.
I wouldn't plant any sort of hedge or taller growing plants in that space. What grows up usually grows out and it looks as though you may already beslightly compromised on how much room there is to open a car door and get out.
You canalways underplant a fence like that with colourful perennials, annuals or some small evergreens to provide a bit of interest.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
I agree - a fence/screen is really the best option, and you can certainly do as @Topbird says and make it an attractive feature in it's own right. If you don't wnat to have a climber, you might still be able to stick some ground cover in, or just some spring bulbs to give you some plant interest, and they wouldn't encroach on your parking space either.
The neighbour should really attend to the safety aspect of the wall, but in reality - people don't bother about these things until something happens, so it's probably better to sort the problem yourself, especially as the open aspect bothers you, which I can understand.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes I can also understand why you'd want the screening. I'm normally a (fairly!😉) friendly person but I strongly value my privacy. There is a saying that good fences make for good neighbours. There's a lot of truth in it.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
From the photo, it appears that the space available marrows to a point where it meets the road. You should still be able to erect a fence/trellis which given the soil "border" would seem to be the best option. Rather surprising that the property was sold with the obvious risks involved - possible accidents as already described but also access to your property from the neighbouring driveway. Open plan / May well apply along the part of the drive where you park your car but I'd question that on the part alongside your house.
I don’t know how much use your local council is but I would be contacting them for advice regarding the safety aspects. I would say the onus is on the owner of the property next to yours to make it safe.
Posts
My preference would be for long narrow (about 7cm) horizontal slats spaced about 5cm apart. They could be stained black or left natural. The fence can be any height you want as you just screw the slats to fence posts cut to the appropriate height. You can accommodate slopes by stepping the fence, but the actual slats must be perfectly horizontal or it looks awful.
That would look clean, smart, modern and not take up much more depth than the fence posts.
It's not a solid barrier so less of a F.O.fence just a diffuse screen. Wind can pass through so it shouldn't be affected by gales like a normal fence can be. There is also a gap between the bottom slat and the ground so fewer problems with wood rotting etc
If you really felt the need, you could plant a lightweight climber to twine through it (such as clematis per @Fairygirl 's suggestion.
I wouldn't plant any sort of hedge or taller growing plants in that space. What grows up usually grows out and it looks as though you may already beslightly compromised on how much room there is to open a car door and get out.
You canalways underplant a fence like that with colourful perennials, annuals or some small evergreens to provide a bit of interest.
The neighbour should really attend to the safety aspect of the wall, but in reality - people don't bother about these things until something happens, so it's probably better to sort the problem yourself, especially as the open aspect bothers you, which I can understand.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
You should still be able to erect a fence/trellis which given the soil "border" would seem to be the best option.
Rather surprising that the property was sold with the obvious risks involved - possible accidents as already described but also access to your property from the neighbouring driveway.
Open plan / May well apply along the part of the drive where you park your car but I'd question that on the part alongside your house.