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12. Furthermore, even if the legislative body of the Town <br /> of Mashpee invalidly applied the cluster zoning principle, the <br /> Board of Zoning appeals still does not have the power to nullify <br /> acts of the local legislative body. The power of adopting and <br /> amending zoning ordinances is set out in G. L. c. 40A, §6. The <br /> proper method of challenging the validity of an ordinance lies in <br /> a mandamus action. "It may be added that as a practical matter <br /> were the contention of the board correct on this issue great <br /> confusion would result sufficient to cause extensive damage to <br /> the theory and practice of .the zoning law, " . Bearce v. Zoning Board <br /> of Appeals of Brockton, 351 Mass . 316, 319-320 (1966) . <br /> 13. Therefore, the Board. of Appeals in this case did not have <br /> the power to deny the building permit .on the basis that §F. V. runs <br /> counter to the provisions of G. L. c. 40A. <br /> 14. The planning board approved the petitioner' s definitive <br /> subdivision plan of the locus prior to the 1971 zoning amendment <br /> becoming effective. The new zoning law does not become effective <br /> until after the attorney general ' s approval. G. L. c. 40, §32 <br /> provides that "Before a by-law takes effect it shall be approved <br /> by- the attorney general or ninety days shall have elapsed without <br /> action by the attorney general . . . . " Therefore, by reason of the <br /> -approval of the definitive subdivision ,plan, the locus .may. now.be . , <br /> used'for .a, period 'of seven years .for �the purposes set forth in the <br /> petitioner's application fora building permit, notwithstanding the <br /> 1971 zoning,by-law amendment, .pursuant to .G. L. c. 40A, §7A. In <br />