If a town already exists but is depopulating due to a lack of work and therefore likely leaving housing stock to rot, and places a burden on councils who get less tax but no reduction in infrastructure footprint - then it seems a no brainer to try make the most of those towns by connecting to cities

Then people can stay in their existing community, but be brought out to their work. The communities then have outside money continuing to come in and don't further come at risk of losing the core services

No