Leylandii

I have a dead 8ft Leylandii in my front garden with the 12-16" trunk right slap bang next to a 2ft brick wall. I need to remove it but am afraid that the wall will fall down. I have been told the stump can be left in the ground and nails put in it and then I can plant Laurel or Red Rubina along the wall which is around 10-12ft wide. However I am not convinced anything will grow with the roots still there (or maybe not even be able to dig!). However I have also read that Leylandii destroy the soil around it. What is the best thing to do? Raised bed? Remove stump and take chance on wall. I really need the screening. Any ideas to a novice  would be welcome.