We've had two large conifers removed from an area of lawn, and are
wondering what to do with it.

The lawn hasn't done too well in recent years - the conifers have sucked the
life out of the area so that only moss thrives. The moss has been killed
off with mosskiller, so we mostly have a black 'lawn'. It's about 50m^2.
The stumps have been ground, but there are no doubt surface roots still
there. It faces south.

Had a quote in the region of GBP1000-1300 (depending on options) to take
4-6" of soil off, lay mushroom compost, then turf on top. This involves
digger hire etc, and seems expensive.

Was wondering if there's any better suggestions for reviving some unhappy
lawn? Would rotavating it with fertiliser and sowing seed be feasible? How
long would that take to take hold? It doesn't need to be instant, but we
don't want it to look like a muddy field in the spring.

Is it too late to do anything this year? Any other suggestions?

Toby