 Like many other new stations built by London Underground in the outskirts of the capital, the construction of the station was intended to stimulate new housing developments in what was a rural part of Middlesex.Works on the extension were postponed during World War II and, after the war, green belt legislation was introduced to limit the expansion of urban areas.The area beyond West Ruislip fell within the designated Metropolitan Green Belt, and as the intended housing developments were no longer allowed the extension was cut back to West Ruislip; it opened in stages in 1947 and 1948.