 The district experienced a sharp rise in population , from 6 @,@ 217 in 1911 to 72 @,@ 791 in 1961 , caused by the extension of the Metropolitan Railway , termed Metro @-@ land , which brought with it an increase in suburban house building . As a consequence , the district was one of the first in England to devise a statutory planning scheme in 1914 , following the Housing and Town Planning Act 1909 . The council had been prompted to follow this new act by the Chairman of the Council , a Mr. Elgood , an architect , and the Clerk to the Council , Mr. Abbot . Members of the council had already raised concerns over some of the new building work around Eastcote and South Ruislip , and the new development near Northwood station which they described as " badly arranged and closely @-@ packed " . 
